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inteb  f0r  |Jri6utc  Circulation 

—  BY  — 


LATE  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL,ADDITIONAL  AIDE-DE-CAMP,  AND  CHIEF  COMMISSARY 
OF    SUBSISTENCE    OF   THE    FIRST    ARMY    CORPS. 


W.  E.  SIBELL,  STATIONER  AND  PRINTER,  No.  5  WALL  STREET 
1865. 


TO     MY     ENEMIES 

AND     MY     LUKE-WARM     FRIENDS, 
I     DEDICATE     THIS     BOOK. 


acknowledging   my  indebtedness. 

£K  //«  ^E<t*f, 
that  I  may  prove  how  little  I  owe  them. 

J^j7ie    c=^»i4M04, 

by  their  persistence   in  falsehood,   and  industry  in   wrong 
doing,  hare  extorted  my  special  wonder, 


by  their  unbecoming  reticence  and  ttngenerous  silence,   are 
entitled  to  my  undisguised  contempt. 


I  tender  my  thanfcs  for  the  substantial  triumph  they  hare 

afforded  me. 


my  regrets  that  they  hare  proven  false  to  themselves. 


my  congratulations   that  they  have  failed  alike   in   their 
active  and  passive  injustice,  in  their  positive 
and  negative  wrong. 

Brooklyn,  November,    1865. 


INTEODUCTION. 


AFTER  enduring,  for  nearly  eight  months,  the  horrors  of  a 
Southern  prison,  I  found  myself,  almost  on  the  very  morning 
of  my  enfranchisement,  (with  a  heart  overflowing  with  joy,, 
and  sincerely  thankful  to  that  Providence  which  had  so  mer 
cifully  protected  me  from  the  ills  and  dangers  of  my  incarcera 
tion,)  suddenly  stripped  of  my  happiness,  and  my  liberty 
again  restricted  by  the  action  of  my  own  Government — which,, 
for  three  years,  I  had  manfully  striven  to  uphold.  On  the 
very  point  of  returning  to  my  family,  I  was  arrested  by  an 
order  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  directed  to  confine  myself 
to  the  limits  of  Willard's  hotel.  Conscious  of  no  crime,  I 
cheerfully  yielded  to  the  orders  of  my  superior  officer — confid 
ently  believing  that  a  brief  period  would  place  me  in  possession 
of  the  allegations  against  me,  to  which  I  had  little  doubt  of 
making  a  satisfactory  reply.  The  fact  of  my  arrest  being  an* 
nounced  in  the  public  journals,  my  friends,  both  military  and 
civil,  hastened  to  express  their  confidence  in  my  honor,  by 
personal  visits.  Among  them  was  one  who,  more  conversant 
with  military  usage  than  myself,  intimated  that  the  course 
pursued  in  my  case  was  unusual  and  severe.  Outraged  at  this- 
information,  I  immediately  called  on  my  former  commander  and 
always  friend — JAMES  S.  WADSWORTH,  then  temporarily  stop 
ping  at  the  hotel.  Confiding  to  him  my  troubles,  he  at  once 
sought  the  Secretary  of  War,  and,  after  briefly  stating  my 
services  and  character,  asked  that  I  should  be  treated  in  a 
manner  commensurate  with  my  deserts.  Strongly  prejudiced 
against  me  by  the  slanders  of  my  enemies,  this  gentleman  not 


6 

-only  refused  his  request,  but  threatened  to  send  me  to  Fortress 
Monroe — there  to  remain  for  the  balance  of  the  war.  Believ 
ing  him  in  earnest,  my  gallant  defender  immediately  posted  off 
to  the  proposed  place  of  imprisonment,  for  the  purpose  of  see 
ing  General  Butler,  my  future  custodian,  and  interesting  him 
in  my  behalf.  During  his  absence,  however,  I  deemed  it  pro 
per  to  address  the  following  to  the  War  Office  : — 

"  Willards'  Hotel,  Sunday  Eve'g, ) 
MARCH  13,  1864.  j 

"  Hon.  E.  M.  STANTON, 

"Secretary  of  War — 

"  SIR  :  After  a  confinement  of  seven  months,  in  the  most 
horrid  and  loathsome  prison  known  to  modern  times,  I  find 
myself,  on  my  return  to  my  own  lines,  the  victim  of  a  most 
cruel,  cowardly,  and  infamous  accusation,  emanating  solely 
from  personal  malevolence  and  petty  jealousy.  Arrested  on 
the  very  threshold  of  my  happiness,  I  learn  that  I  have  been 
released  from  one  prison  only  to  be  immured  in  another. 

"  The  charges  against  me,  let  them  proceed  from  whom  they 
may,  are  of  such  a  character  as  to  require  the  most  searching 
investigation  ;  and  my  purport,  in  thus  addressing  you,  is  to 
say  that,  whilst  courting — nay,  demanding — the  most  thorough 
scrutiny,  and  placing  myself  unreservedly  and  uncomplain 
ingly  at  the  disposition  of  my  government,  I  would  most  re 
spectfully  submit  that,  two  years  and  a  half  service  in  the 
field — facing  the  enemy — entitles  me  to  a  belief  in  my  inno 
cence,  and  the  treatment  due  thereto,  until  the  impartial  ver 
dict  of  a  military  tribunal  may  decide  otherwise. 
"  Very  respectfully, 

"  Your  obed't  servant, 

"  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON, 

"Lt.  Col  C.  S.  V." 

After  a  delay  of  forty-eight  hours,  I  was  waited  upon  by 
Capt.  W.  T.  Hartz,  A.  A.  G.  to  Col.  Hoffman,  Commissary 
General  of  Prisoners,  who  served  upon  me  the  following 
order  : — • 


,7 

"Office  of  the  Comm'yGen.  of  Prisoners,  \ 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  March  15,  1864.          f 

Lt.  Col.  J.  M.  SANDERSON, 

Sub.U.S*r., 

Washington,  D.  C.— 

"COLONEL  :  By  authority  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  you  are 
hereby  relieved  from  your  arrest,  and  permitted  to  return  to 
your  home,  on  condition  that  you  give  your  parole  of  honor 
not  to  leave  there  without  authority  •  and  that  you  will  be 
prepared  to  meet  at  any  time  or  place  any  charges  that  MAY  be 
preferred  against  you  by  any  officer  who  was  a  prisoner  of  war 
with  you  in  Richmond. 

"  Very  respectfully,  &c., 

"  W.  HOFFMAN,  Col.  Third  Infy, 

"Comirfy  Gen.  of  Prisoners.1' 

Readily  accepting  this  condition,  I  signed  the  parole,  and 
immediately  started  for  home.  On  reaching  New- York,  greatly 
to  my  amusement  and  the  astonishment  of  my  friends,  I  learned 
through  the  newspapers  that  I  was  then  on  my  way  to  Fort 
Warren.  In  order  to  correct  this  rnisstaternent,  I  published  the 
following  card,  addressed  to  the  different  editors  :— 

"Pierrcpont  House,  BROOKLYN,  ) 
MARCH  18,  1864.  J 

41  SIR  :  In  order  to  relieve  the  minds  of  those  who  have  a 
real  interest  in  my  welfare,  allow  me  to  say  that  I  have  been 
released  from  arrest;  and  am  not  on  my  way  to  Fort  Warren 
or  any  other  prison. 

"As  regards  the  charges  brought  against  me,  my  friends,  by 
their  generous  advocacy,  have  shown  that  they  need  no  denial 
thereof ;  but,  to  the  public  at  large,  I  would  simply  state  that 
they  never  had  any  foundation  save  in  the  base  imagination 
of  one  who,  having  proven  himself  recreant  to  his  country 
and  his  God,  is  eminently  capable  of  any  falsehood  calculated 
to  direct  attention  from  his  own  shortcomings. 

"Although  a  momentary  sufferer  by  the  action  of  the  mili 
tary  authorities,  I  am,  nevertheless,  proud  to  serve  a  govern 
ment  which  thus  shows  its  determination  to  watch  with  jeal 
ous  eye  the  conduct  of  its  officers,wherever  they  may  be  ;  and 
shall  have  every  cause  of  complaint  removed  if  I  am  afforded 


an  early  opportunity  of  explaining  my  whole   conduct  as  an 
officer  and  a  gentleman  while  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
"  Yery  respectfully,  &c., 

"  JAS.  M.  SANDERSON, 

"Lt.  Cot.  d  C.  S.  r." 

Early  in  May,  the  Government  officially  promulgated  the 
exchange  of  all  prisoners,  to  the  7th  of  that  month.  Having 
periodically  advised  the  Department  to  which  I  belonged  (the 
Subsistence)  of  my  position  and  whereabouts,  I  nevertheless 
considered  it  my  duty  to  address  the  following  communica 
tion  to  the  Adjutant  General's  office  : — 

"Pierrepont  House,  BROOKLYN,  ) 
MAY  16, 1864.  } 

"  Col.  E.  D.  TOWNSEND,  A.  A.  G., 
"  War  Department, 

"  Washington,  D.  C.— 

"  COLONEL  :  Informed  through  the  daily  papers  of  this  date 
that  an  Exchange  has  been  declared  of  all  prisoners  paroled 
prior  to  May  7th,  I  hasten  to  lay  before  you  the  copy  of  an 
order  which  condemns  me  to  remain  here  indefinitely,  awaiting 
confirmation  of  charges  which  have  no  foundation  save  in  the; 
base  imagination  of  a  cowardly  slanderer. 

"  You  will  perceive  by  the  wording  of  that  order  that  I  am 
required  to  remain  at  my  home,  and  hold  myself  '  prepared  to 
meet,  at  any  time  or  place,  any  charges  that  may  be  preferred 
against  me  by  any  officer  who  was  a  prisoner  of  war  with  me 
in  Richmond.7  Two  months  have  now  elapsed,  and  the  bit 
terest  of  my  enemies  are  at  this  moment  within  the  control  of 
the  Government ;  and  as  none  of  them  have  yet  dared  to  add 
perjury  to  their  other  crimes,  the  probabilities  are  that  the 
war  will  be  finished  before  I  can  establish  my  innocence  or 
prove  by  my  future  conduct  the  utter  falsity  of  their  insinua 
tions. 

"  Engaged  in  this  contest  as  a  matter  of  religion,  and  proud 
of  the  commission  I  have  the  honor  to  hold,  I  do  not  desire  to 
remain  in  the  rear  during  these  stirring  times,  or  retain  that 
commission  as  a  sinecure  as  long  as  there  is  anything  to  be 
done  suited  to  my  capacity  or  my  strength  ;  and  I,  therefore,, 
most  respectfully  but  earnestly  request  that  I  may  be,  at  the 
earliest  practicable  moment,  either  trusted  or  tried — feeling 


fully  conscious  of  my  ability  to  prove  by  either  test  my  loyalty 
to  my  Government,  and  my  devotion  to  the  cause  of  unity  and 
Freedom. 

"  Very  respectfully,  <fec., 

"JAS.  M.  SANDERSON, 

LL  Col.  &  C.  S.  V. 

To  this  no  response  was  given  until  the  18th  June  following,, 
when  I  saw  in  the  Army  and  Navy  Journal  the  announcement 
of  my  dismissal.  Stunned  and  humiliated  for  the  moment  by 
this  most  summary  and  unjust  proceeding,  I  again  addressed 
Col.  Townsend,  as  follows  : 

"  82  Wall  St.,  NEW-YORK,  \ 
JUNE  18,  1864.         f 
"  Col.  E.  D.  TOWNSEND,  A.  A.  G., 

"  Washington,  D.  C.— 

"  COLONEL  :  I  have  the  honor  to  state  that,  in  the  Army  and 
Navy  Journal  of  this  date,  I  find  the  following  announce 
ment  : — 

Ui  Dismissals,  for  the  week  ending  June  11, 1864. — Lieut.  Col. 
JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  Captain  Commissary  Subsistence,  U.  S. 
Yols.  :  to  date  June  6,  1864.' 

"  My  object  in  addressing  you  is,  to  inquire  if  this  announce 
ment  is  official  ;  and,  if  so,  whether  I  have  not  the  right  to 
'know  the  charges  on  which  this  action  of  my  Government  is 
based  ? 

"I  would  also  respectfully  call  your  attention  to  the  fact 
that  I  hold  a  commission  as  Major  and  additional  Aid-de-Camp 
dated  July  15,  1862 ;  and  would  ask  if  that  commission  is  em 
braced  in  the  order  dismissing  me  ?     Awaiting  your  answer, 
"  I  am,  very  respectfully,  <fcc., 

"  J.  M.  SANDERSON, 

"Lt.  Col.  &  C.  S.  V." 

After  another  delay  of  ten  days,  a  printed  order  reached  me,, 
containing  the  following  : — 


10 

'rar 
WASHINGTON,  June  23,  1864. 


War  Dep't,  Adft  GenTs  Office, ) 


'Special  Orders, } 
No.  217.     j 

[EXTRACT.] 

"  7. — Paragraph  32,  of  Special  Orders  No.  201,  from  this 
Office,  dated  June  8,  1864,  dismissing  Lieut.  Col.  JAMES  M. 
SANDERSON,  Captain  and  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  U.  S. 
Yols.,  is  hereby  amended,  to  read  as  follows  : — 

'•' '  By  direction  of  the  President,  Lieut.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SAN 
DERSON,  Major,  Additional  Aid-de-Camp,  and  Captain  Commis- 
missary  of  Subsistence,  U.  S.  Vols.,  is  hereby  dismissed  the 
service  of  the  United  States  :  to  take  effect  from  June  6, 
1864.' 

"  By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 

"  E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

"Ass't  Adft  Genl." 
[OFFICIAL,] 
(Sicned)  "  E.  I).  TOWNSEND, 

"Ass't  Adft  Genl. 

•'  To  Mr.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON, 
"No.  82  Wall  St., 

"  New- York  City." 

This,  although  conclusive,  was  neither  satisfactory  nor  re 
sponsive.  I  determined,  therefore,  to  visit  Washington,  and 
ascertain,  if  possible,  the  causes  of  this  unmerited  disgrace. 
On  my  arrival,  I  called  at  the  office  of  the  Adjutant  General, 
where,  after  several  applications,  I  received  a  flat  refusal  to 
my  request  to  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  charges  against 
me — being  referred  to  a  printed  order,  requiring  all  such  de 
mands  to  be  made  direct  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  In  obedi 
ence  to  this,  I  immediately  wrote  to  Mr.  Stanton  a  communi 
cation — reciting,  in  brief,  my  services,  my  experiences,  and 
iny  desires.  After  a  reasonable  delay,  receiving  no  reply,  I 
determined  to  refer  the  matter  to  his  Excellency,  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States ;  and,  having  armed  myself  with  a 
Jotter  of  introduction  from  the  Hon.  H.  B.  Anthony,  Senator 


11 

from  Rhode  Island,  (a  copy  of  which  I  append,)  I  called  at  the 
White  House  : — 

"Senate  Chamber, 
JULY  2,  1864. 

"  To  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES — 

"  SIR  :  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  informs  me  that  he  has 
been  summarily  dismissed  the  service,  without  a  trial  and 
without  a  knowledge  of  the  charges  against  him. 

"  I  have  long  known  Col.  SANDERSON — and  have  regarded 
him  as  a  man  of  high  honor,  of  unquestionable  loyalty,  and  as 
having  rendered  valuable  service.  I  cannot  believe,  in  the 
absence  of  evidence,  that  he  has  been  guilty  of  any  offence, 
deserving  of  so  harsh  punishment ;  and  I  hope  he  will  be  al 
lowed  an  opportunity  to  answer  charges  against  him. 

"  I  am  confident  that  your  sense  of  justice  will  recognize 
the  reasonableness  of  this  request,  which  is  all  he  asks.  The 
late  Gen.  Wads  worth,  I  know,  had  a  high  opinion  of  Col. 
SANDERSON,  and  I  have  heard  him  express  it  in  emphatic 
terms. 

"  Yery  respectfully, 

"  Your  obed't  serv't, 
(Signed)     "H.  B.  ANTHONY." 

Three  days  I  danced  attendance  in  the  waiting-hall  of  the 
Presidential  mansion  •  but,  owing  to  various  circumstances, 
without  obtaining  access  to  His  Excellency.  Thinking  the 
letter  might  prove  an  "open  sesame,"  I  sent  that  in  with  my 
card  ;  but,  just  at  that  moment,  information  being  brought  of 
the  unexpected  arrival  of  Gen.  Early,  C.  S.  A.,  I  was  obliged 
to  await  the  movements  of  this  unwelcome  visitor — even  vol 
unteering  to  assist  in  his  reception.  My  services  not  being 
needed,  and  the  whole  Government  being  too  much  occupied 
in  attending  to  the  subject  matter  in  hand,  I  concluded,  by 
advice  of  friends,  to  return  home  and  "  bide  my  time."  In 
the  meanwhile,  however,  I  deemed  it  my  duty  to  keep  myself 
fresh  in  the  memory  of  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  War,  by 
repeating  my  request  for  information  and  trial  regularly  every 
month.  I  also  addressed  a  communication  to  the  Hon.  C.  A. 
Dana,  Assist't  Secretary  of  War,  with  whom  I  had  a  personal 


12 

acquaintance  of  years ;  but  from  neither  of  these  gentlemen 
could  I  obtain  any  reply. 

One  day,  in  October,  walking  through  Broadway,  I  acciden 
tally  encountered  my  friend,  Senator  Anthony,  who  informed 
me  that  he  was  the  recipient  of  a  letter  from  the  War  Depart-, 
inent,  referring  to  my  matters.  This,  on  his  return  home,  he^ 
sent  me — and  was  as  follows  : — > 

'"  War  Department,  \ 
SEPT.  1864.       f 
"  Hon.  H.  B.  ANTHONY, 

''Senate  Chamber — 

"8m:  I  am  directed  by  the  Secretary  of  War  to  acknow 
ledge  receipt  of  your  communication  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States — asking  that  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  late  Lt.  Col. 
and  Commissary  Subsistence  may  be  permitted  to  be  heard  in  his 
own  defence :  and  to  inform  you  that  the  application  has  been 
denied  by  the  President. 

"  Very  respectfully, 

"JAMES  A.  HARDIE. 

"Col.,  <&c." 

Undismayed  by  this  refusal,  I  again  visited  Washington, 
and  after  several  days  delay,  at  length  succeeded  in  obtaining 
an  interview  with  the  President,  to  whom  I  recited  my  case  in 
as  few  words  as  possible,  and  showed  him  the  letter  sent  to 
Mr.  Anthony.  Endorsing  it  to  the  Judge-Advocate-General, 
he  requested  me  to  call  again.  This,  after  an  interview  with 
Judge  Holt,  I  did,  and  was  again  referred  to  him  with  the 
promise  that  if  I  could  get  the  Judge  to  advise  my  being  sent 
before  a  Military  Commission,  in  ivriting,  it  should  be  done. 
On  stating  this  to  Judge  Holt,  he  positively  refused  to  accedo 
to  it,  on  the  ground  that  "  a  report  had  already  been  made  to 
the  President  in  this  case,  in  which  the  evident  tendency  was= 
to  such  a  reference,  and  the  President  would  so  find  it  if  he 
would  take  the  trouble  to  read  it.  This  was  the  extent  of  his. 
duty,  and  he  would  not  go  further.  It  was  neither  proper  nor 
respectful  for  him  to  dictate  to  the  President  what  course  he 
should  pursue,"  and  to  all  my  intreaties  he  was  deaf  and  un 
moved.  I  again  sought  the  President,  and  luckily  obtained. 


13 

an  interview  without  difficulty.  On  learning,  however,  the 
opinion  of  the  Judge-Advocate-General,  he  curtly  informed  me 
that  he  could  do  nothing  for  me  ;  but  finally,  after  an  inter 
view  of  half  an  hour,  he  reluctantly  consented,  and  wrote  an 
order  sending  me  before  the  Military  Commission,  then  in  ses 
sion  at  Washington.  Obtaining  from  the  Secretary  of  War 
his  immediate  approval,  I  waited  upon  the  Court  thus  se 
lected,  and  found  it  composed  of  Brigadier-General  John  C. 
Caldwell,  U.  S.  Yols.,  President,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  G.  W, 
Patten,  U.  S.  A.  (subsequently  relieved  by  Colonel  G.  A.  H. 
Blake,  1st  Cavalry,)  his  associate,  and  Captain  G.  H.  Caldwell, 
Recorder.  By  these  gentlemen  I  was  most  courteously  re 
ceived,  and  most  patiently  heard,  and  as  soon  as  they  were 
furnished  with  the  papers  in  the  case,  they  placed  them  at  my 
disposal.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  was  I  made  acquainted  with 
the  nature  of  the  charges,  and  the  names  of  my  accusers,  and 
I  have  yet  to  decide  which  caused  me  the  greater  astonishment. 
To  be  blackened  by  Streight,  to  be  calumniated  by  Atwood, 
was  bad  enough,  yet  could  be  borne;  but  to  be  dishonored  at 
the  fiat  of  Neal  Dow,  was  a  degradation  for  which  I  was  quite 
unprepared. 

Asking  from  the  Commission  some  authority,  whereby  to 
enforce  evidence  from  unwilling  witnesses,  I  was  astonished  to 
find  no  such  power  was  vested  in  them  ;  in  fact,  all  they  could 
do  was  to  hear  such  testimony  as  I  could  personally  obtain,  or 
my  friends  voluntarily  furnish. 

There  being  no  limit  assigned  to  the  time  for  collecting  my 
testimony,  I  returned  to  my  home,  and  immediately  set  myself 
to  work.  Taking  the  statements  of  Neal  Dow  and  Corporal 
Taylor  as  a  basis,  and  adding  thereto  all  the  slanders  and  ca 
lumnious  reports  that  had  come  to  my  ears,  I  addressed  to 
such  officers  as  I  could  recollect  or  hear  of  from  others,  a  series 
of  questions,  the  replies  to  which  I  requested  them  to  embody 
in  form  of  a  consecutive  narrative,  made  on  honor,  to  be  re 
turned  to  me  at  their  earliest  convenience.  In  selecting  these 
parties,  I  was  entirely  uninfluenced  by  fear  or  favor.  Every 
man  capable,  in  my  opinion,  of  telling  the  truth  was  addressed; 
and,  as  will  be  seen,  some  of  them  did  not  hesitate  to  state  that 


14 

they  had  been  my  enemies,  and  did  not  agree  with  me  in  sen 
timent  or  opinion,  during  our  imprisonment.  In  framing  my 
questions  I  was  obliged  to  confine  myself,  in  most  cases,  to 
such  matters  as  I  had  reason  to  think  came  within  the  imme 
diate  cognizance  of  the  party  addressed,  and  in  every  case  I 
was  forced  to  rely  upon  my  remembrance  of  their  associations 
and  surroundings  ;  for,  whilst  I  feared  nothing  that  any  one 
would  truthfully  state,  of  his  own  knowledge,  as  to  my  per 
sonal  conduct,  I  was  obliged  to  be  cautious  in  drawing  out 
opinions  which  might  be  construed  unfavorably,  owing  to  the 
great  difficulty  of  arriving  at  the  true  character  of  the  circum 
stances  on  which  these  opinions  were  formed.  Face  to  face 
with  a  witness^it  is  not  a  difficult  task  to  compel  him  to  quali 
fy  his  statements,  even  though  he  be  most  anxious  to  injure 
you  ;  but  men  do  not  always  care  to  unbosom  their  secret  rea 
sons  for  hostility  or  bias,  unless  compelled  under  the  sanctity 
of  an  oath,  before  two  or  more  calm,  unprejudiced,  and  scruti 
nizing  judges.  Even  Neal  Dow  would  have  paused  before 
enunciating  many  of  the  charges,  so  cheerfully  narrated  in  his 
letter,  and  Corporal  Taylor  would  have  slunk  like  a  whipped 
dog,  before  reciting  his  own  shame.  Could  I  have  been  per 
mitted  to  put  all  or  any  of  my  bitterest  foes,  Dow,  Streight, 
Atwood,  or  Taylor,  on  the  stand,  and  subject  them  to  the  ordeal 
of  a  cross-examination,  I  would  not  have  required  the  evidence 
of  a  single  friend  to  exonerate  me  from  any  of  the  charges 
alleged, unless  they  had  deliberately  committed  perjury.  And 
no  greater  triumph  could  have  been  afforded  me  than  the  satis 
faction  of  drawing  from  Dow  a  history  of  his  operations  in 
Louisiana  ;  a  minute  account  of  that  celebrated  wTound  received 
(where  ?)  and  a  list  of  the  contents  of  those  two  large  heavy 
trunks  brought  from  Libby — to  say  nothing  of  the  advantage 
to  military  science  to  be  derived  from  the  recital  of  Streight's 
raid  into  Georgia:  how  he  fought  Forrest  first,  and  then  forced 
him  toj  buy  his  horses  before  surrendering  ;  with  his  peculiar 
views  on  discipline,  and  his  experience  in  mounting  infantry. 
But  lacking  the  means  to  obtain  these  ends,  truth  and  strategy 
must  suffer,  unless  this  pure  philanthropist,  and  doughty  hero, 
moved  to  voluntary  compliance,  enlighten  an  ignorant  people, 
and  an  enquiring  world. 


15 

From  the  list  annexed  of  the  number  of  letters  addressed,  it 
will  be  seen  that  many  officers  have  not  responded.  This  is 
due  to  more  than  one  cause.  In  many  cases  the  letters  from 
me  to  them  miscarried,  or  worse  yet,  their  replies  when  made> 
never  reached  me, — others  again  have  procrastinated  until 
forgetfulness  or  shame  rendered  them  unwilling, — others,  in 
fluenced  no  doubt  by  ill  feeling  towards  me,  and  at  the  same 
time  fearing  to  exhibit  an  active  enmity,  have  sullenly  refrain 
ed  from  all  notice  of  my  communication,  knowing  that  I  could 
not  compel  a  reply,  whilst  another  and  a  meaner  class,  thinking 
their  testimony  of  more  value  than  it  really  possessed,  refuscd 
to  give  any  information  unless  compelled  by  an  official  order, 
or  a  summons  to  attend  in  person. 

To  the  procrastinating  I  extend  niy  pity  ;  to  the  inimical., 
my  defiance  ;  whilst  for  the  hide-bound  I  reserve  my  most  un 
mitigated  contempt. 

To  the  opposite  and  nobler  class,  who  have  manfully  and, 
consistently  stood  by  me  through  good  and  evil  report,  by  words 
and  actions,  by  public  avowals  and  private  intimations,  I  can 
only  return  my  warmest  and  sincerest  thanks. 

"  All  are  not  just,  because  they  do  no  wrong  5 
But  he  who  will  not  wrong  me  when  he  may, 
He  is  the  truly  just." 

The  ordeal  through  which  I  have  passed  has  been  a  severe- 
one.  Conscious  of  having  committed  no  wrong,  I  was  quite 
unprepared  to  find  myself  accused  of  crime.  Condemned 
without  a  trial,  and  punished  before  being  heard,  I  found  my 
self  placed  in  the  anomalous  position  of  being  obliged  to  prove 
myself  innocent  of  charges  that  had  never  been  substantiated. 
Struck  down  by  official  zeal,  in  undue  haste,  I  found,  even  in 
the  highest,  a  disinclination  to  revise  or  redress.  When  forced 
by  persistence  and  argument  to  grant  a  hearing,  not  the 
slightest  executive  aid  was  afforded,  nor  the  least  authority  of 
the  law  permitted  to  support  the  right  or  confute  the  false. 
Deprived  of  all  pay,  private  means  were  drained  to  reform  a 
public  wrong  ;  but  in  spite  of  every  obstacle,  I  succeeded  in 
obtaining  a  mass  of  testimony  on  every  point,  save  one,  and 


16 

that  of  very  minor  importance,  which  in  the  month  of  Febru 
ary  was  placed  before  the  Commission.  This  evidence,  with 
my  own  statement  and  defence,  form  the  subject  matter  of 
this  book  ;  and  in  putting  it  forth  I  have  been  guided  simply 
and  solely  by  what  I  deem  to  be  an  imperative  duty,  not  only 
to  myself  and  my  friends,  but  especially  to  my  posterity.  Re 
ceiving  from  my  ancestors  a  name  untarnished,  it  is  obliga 
tory  on  me  to  transmit  it  unsullied. 

Treason  to  one's  country  has,  at  least,  the  merit  of  grandeur 
in  its  villainy  ;  but  treachery  to  one's  comrades  has  not  even 
that  poor  excuse.  It  is  craven,  contemptible,  and  unmitigated 
meanness — commending  itself  only  to  the  pettiest  thief  and 
most  cowardly  calumniator.  To  devise  such  vileness  is  wor 
thy  only  of  the  most  debased  ;  to  charge  it,  unsubstantiated, 
on  an  innocent  comrade,  demands  a  still  lower  depth  of  degra 
dation.  The  coward,  who  wronged  his  trusting  country,  by  a 
dishonorable  surrender;  and  the  thief,  who  despoiled  his  suffer 
ing  mates  by  a  despicable  larceny — may  felicitate  themselves 
on  such  an  achievement ;  but,  short  of  them,  I  know  of  no 
other  living  thing  capable  of  it.  That  I  could  be  guilty  of 
such  a  crime,  I  am  proud  to  say,  never  for  one  moment  ob 
tained  credence  in  the  mind  of  a  single  honorable  man  that 
knew  me. 

With  my  enemies — of  whom  I  have  my  fair  share ;  with 
the  envious — who  are  greedy  of  slander  ;  or  with  the  world 
at  large — to  whom  I  am  quite  unknown — so  gross  a  calumny 
has  doubtless  been  received  with  avidity  ;  and,  borne  as  it 
was  to  all  quarters  of  the  country  by  means  of  the  telegraph 
and  public  journals,  it  must  inevitably  be  treasured  up  against 
my  name  for  all  time,  and  appear  to  my  discomfort,  or  that  of 
my  descendants,  at  most  inopportune  moments.  Many,  who 
have  heard  and  remembered  the  charge,  will  probably  never 
hear  the  exculpation :  I,  who  never  seek  for  popular  favor, 
nor  ask,  unoffered,  any  man's  friendship,  may  personally  de 
rive  no  injury  and  suffer  no  discredit ;  but  those  who  come 
after  me  may  live  in  times  when,  to  hold  office,  may  be  deemed 
honorable — and  to  them  is  due  some  record,  whereby  they 
xnav  refute  the  slanderer  or  silence  a  foe. 


17 

"  The  honors  of  a  name  'tis  just  to  guard— 
They  are  a  trust  but  leut  u»,  which  we  take  5 
And  should,  in  reverence  to  the  donor's  fame, 
With  care  transmit  them  down  to  other  hands." 

Mingled  with  the  most  heartfelt  thanks  to  that  High  and 
Mighty  Power,  who  directs  and  shapes  the  minds  of  men,  is 
the  just  pride  that  the  triumphant  result  I  have  achieved  is 
due  to  my  sole  and  unaided  efforts.  Fortunate  in  the  friend 
ship  of  hosts  of  worthy  and  influential  gentlemen  ;  upheld, 
during  my  year  of  terrible  probation,  by  the  strong  moral 
support  afforded  me  by  their  confidence  and  respect — not  a 
single  man  among  them,  save  the  Hon.  H.  B.  Anthony,  (and 
he  only  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  me  a  hearing,)  has  asked 
or  sought  to  obtain  the  slightest  favor  or  privilege  from  the 
Government  or  the  Commission  ;  but,  whilst  I  can  truthfully 
say — 

"Alone,  I  did  it  I" 

I  gratefully  confess  that,  to  my  dear  friend  and  former  com 
panion  in  arms,  GEORGE  F.  NOYES,  Esq.,  I  am  deeply  indebted 
for  advice,  assistance,  and  good  counsel.  To  him  is  due  what 
ever  of  order  and  proper  classification  may  be  found  in  my 
defence  ;  whilst  to  his  good  taste  and  judgment  may  be  as- 
scribed  the  elimination  of  much  bitterness  and  resentful  feel 
ing  towards  my  opponents. 

To  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  War  I  cannot  refrain  from 
expressing  my  acknowledgments  for  the  very  complimentary 
terms  he  has  been  pleased  to  employ  in  the  wording  of  his 
decision — almost  compensating  (if  anything  could)  for  the 
year  of  suffering  and  humiliation  I  have  endured. 

To  the  gentlemen  composing  the  Military  Commission,  I  am 
under  the  deepest  obligations  for  the  unvarying  kindness  and 
courtesy  extended  to  me,  and  the  patience  with  which  they 
heard  and  investigated  the  lengthy  documents  placed  before 
them.  And,  finally,  to  the  officers  of  the  Adjutant  General's 
office,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  with  whom  I  came  in 
contact,  I  tender  my  thanks  for  the  interest  exhibited  and  the 
attention  bestowed,  at  a  moment  and  in  a  manner  so  oppor 
tune  and  grateful. 

BROOKLYN,  Nov.,  1865. 


18 


CHAEGES  AND  SPECIFICATIONS 

Against  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  an  officer  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  conveyed  through  the  medium  of  a  familiar 
letter  from  a  Brigadier  General  in  the  Volunteer  Service  to 
n  Major  General  in  the  Regular  Service. 

PORTLAND,  April  4,  1864. 

GENERAL, — I  am  this  moment  in  receipt  of  your  note  of  the 
1st.,  inquiring  if  I  have  any  information  touching  the  conduct 
of  Lieut.  Col.  SANDERSON,  late  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Richmond. 

I  am  informed  of  a  great  deal  of  his  conduct  at  Richmond, 
and  took  much  interest  in  it,  because  /  thought  he  ought  to  "be 
dismissed  from  the  service.  The  conviction  among  the  offi 
cers  generally  was,  that  he  was  disloyal,  had  little  or  no  sym 
pathy  with  our  cause,  but  much  for  the  rebels.  On  that  point 
I  think  Col.  Streight  is  particularly  informed. 

Soon  after  I  came  to  Richmond  from  Mobile  in  October,  I 
learned  much  of  his  sayings  and  doings,  and  had  therefore  no 
intercourse  with  him.  though  my  quarters  were  very  near 
Ms. 

After  my  protest  to  Gen.  Winder  against  the  cruel  treat 
ment  of  our  soldiers  at  Belle  Island,  I  was  not  permitted  to 
-visit  them  any  more,  and  the  business  of  distributing  the 
•clothing  to.  the  soldiers — aU  of  which  was  sent  to  me, — was  put 
into  his  hands.  Thus  for  weeks  he  came  into  daily  contact 
with  the  soldiers  there,  and  his  conduct  to  them  was  always 
harsh  and  cruel.  Once  a  poor  fellow  applied  for  some  clothes, 
— he  was  very  miserable  with  cold  and  hunger, — SANDERSON 
said  :  "  Damn  you,  didn't  I  tell  you  if  you  came  again  I'd  kick 
you?"  He  then  turned  him  round,  kicked  him,  and  followed 
him  with  repeated  kicks. 

Capt.  Atwood,  16th  Maine,  Lieut.  Col.  Archer,  and  others 
.saw  this ! 


19 

One  poor  fellow  barefooted,  asked  for  shoes,  and  received 
curses  instead.  Capt.  Atwood  saw  this.  The  next  day  but 
one  Capt.  Atwood  saw  the  same  man  brought  out  in  a  blanket, 
with  his  feet  badly  frozen.  I  think  he  suffered  amputation. 

The  Rebel  lieutenant  in  charge  remonstrated  with  SANDER 
SON  for  his  harsh  and  cruel  treatment  of  the  soldiers  in  pre 
sence  of  Atwood. 

His  intercourse  wTith  the  soldiers  was  always  with  oaths,  and 
curses,  and  bitter  revilings.  Many  of  these  poor  fellows  he 
caused  to  be  bucked  and  gagged.  And  this  to  half  starved  and 
half  frozen  men,  who  had  left  friends,  business,  and  comfortable 
homes,  in  some  cases  luxurious  homes,  to  help  save  their  coun 
try  from  being  blotted  out  from  the  map  of  nations.  Many  of 
these  men  were  educated  gentlemen. 

On  one  occasion,  (a  cold  day,)  a  squad  of  men,  half  starved 
and  pinched  with  cold,  came  out  for  clothes.  At  the  head  of 
the  line,  to  be  served  first,  was  a  soldier — thin  and  blue,  curled 
up  and  shivering — his  hands  in  his  poor  apologies  for  pockets. 
With  oaths  and  curses,  SANDERSON  demanded  why  lie  did  not 
take  the  position  of  a  soldier  :  and  drove  the  poor  wretch  to 
the  tail  of  the  line — to  wait  a  long  hour  or  two,  as  a  punish 
ment. 

Early  last  fall,  we  had  arrangements  nearly  perfected  for 
breaking  out  and  capturing  the  city.  We  had  about  1,000 
officers  and  about  10,000  soldiers  there,  and  were  carelessly 
guarded.  Suddenly,  we  saw  two  pieces  of  artillery  planted 
near  and  bearing  on  us,  and  some  companies  of  soldiers  sta 
tioned  in  front  of  the  prison.  Soon  we  learned  that  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  had  betrayed  us  to  the  Rebels.  The  indignation  of 
the  officers  was  very  great  ;  but  it  was  finally  allayed,  upon 
assurances  that  there  was  no  intention  of  communicating  the 
secret  beyond  our  own  officers  in  the  hospital.  Of  these  mat 
ters  1  am  not persoritty  aoynizant,  but  think  Col.  Streight  will  be 
able  to  substantiate  them. 

After  Col.  Straight's  unsuccessful  attempt  to  escape,  lie  was 
put  into  a  dark,  damp,  and  cold  cell  under-ground,  in  irons, 
and  supplied  only  with  corn  bread  and  water.  While  he  re 
mained  in  that  position,  Col.  SANDERSON  told  some  Rebel  offi- 


20 

cers  that  Streight  had  organized  a  plan  to  break  out,  capture, 
and  destroy  the  city.  This  was  told  in  presence  of  some  of 
our  officers — of  whom  Capt.  Atwood,  I  think,  was  one. 

Lt.  Col.  Archer  and  Capt.  Atwood  were  often  with  Col. 
SANDERSON,  at  Belle  Isle,  and  saw  a  great  deal  of  him. 

The  U.S.  Sanitary  Commission  sent  a  great  quantity  of  sup 
plies  to  me,  for  distribution;  but  the  Rebels  put  them  into  the 
hands  of  Col.  SANDERSON.  Only  a  small  part  of  them  was  dis 
tributed  ;  I  am  confident  that  a  part  of  them  was  given  to  the 
Rebels  by  Col.  SANDERSON,  besides  what  they  stole  ;  and  Col. 
SANDERSON  appropriated  to  his  own  use  a  case  of  egg-nogg 
that  was  marked  for  the  hospital. 

Col.  SANDERSON  was  constantly  defending  the  Rebels,  and 
justifying  them  in  their  treatment  of  our  soldiers — averring 
that  they  were  properly  treated.  Some  of  this  I  heard  on  one 
occasion,  and  interposed  with  the  facts  at  Belle  Isle  which  ex 
isted  under  his  observation. 

Col.  Di  Ccsnola  of  the  Fourth  [New- York  Cavalry — an  offi 
cer  of  the  Sardinian  Army,  and  thoroughly  true  to  our  service 
and  the  cause — saw,  heard,  and  knew  much  of  Col.  SANDERSON, 
their  quarters  being  very  near  each  other.  Col.  Cesnola,  for 
the  last  two  or  three  months,  held  no  communication  whatever 
with  him — so  certain  was  his  conviction  of  his  infidelity  to  the 
country.  Col.  Di  Cesnola's  address  is— 130  Madison  Avenue. 
He  will  gladly  furnish  any  information  in  his  possession,  as  he 
believes  the  good  of  the  service  requires  Col.  SANDERSON'S 
dismissal  from  it. 

I  have  written  to  Capt.  Atwood,  at  Gardiner,  Maine — asking 
him  to  send  you  immediately  full  details  of  everything  within 
his  knowledge  on  this  subject,  with  the  names  of  other  wit 
nesses.  I  am  not  acquainted  with  the  address  of  Lt.  Col. 
Archer,  but  think  he  is  of  a  Kentucky  regiment. 

My  conviction  was  that  Col.  SANDERSON  had  no  sympathy 
with  the  Union  cause.  His  conversation,  so  far  as  I  knew  of 
it,  indicated  a  decided  hostility  to  the  administration,  and  to 
its  measures  ;  and  certainly  he  manifested  no  kindly  feeling 
towards  our  soldiers,  who  were  suffering  so  much  in  their 
country's  service.  By  our  officers,  generally,  at  Richmond 


21 

he  was  regarded  with  distrust.  Very  few  of  them  had  any 
intercourse  with  him,  and  great  care  was  used  to  keep  every 
matter  from  his  knowledge  that  we  wished  to  keep  from  the 
Rebels. 

I  have  thus  answered  your  inquiries,  in  a  familiar  ivay,  to 
the  best  of  my  knowledge,  tho*  I  might  add  a  great  quantity 
of  similar  matter. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

NEAL  DOW, 

Brig.  Geril. 

Major-Gen'l.  E.  A.  HITCHCOCK, 
Commtr  for  Exchange  of  Prisoners, 

Washington,  D.  C. 


MEMORANDUM  OF 

Statement  made  by  Corp.  W.  A.  TAYLOR,  Co.  E,  Sixth  N.  Y. 
Cavalry. 

Was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Bristoe  Station,  (or  the 
day  after,)  14th  day  of  October,  1863  ;  was  sent  to  Richmond, 
and  was  among  the  prisoners  at  Belle  Isle.  He  was  at  Belle 
Isle  when  our  Government,  a  few  months  since,  sent  supplies 
of  clothing  and  provisions  to  Union  prisoners  in  Richmond. 
Gen.  Neal  Dow  was  employed  at  first,  with  some  others  under 
him,  to  distribute  to  the  prisoners  these  supplies.  He  was 
employed  in  this  about  four  or  five  days,  when  Col.  Cesnola 
with  one  other  officer,  took  the  place  of  Gen.  Dow,  and  con 
tinued  about  two  or  three  weeks  :  these  officers  issued  neither 
provisions  or  clothing  ;  they  made  rolls  of  the  men,  showing 
what  they  wanted.  During  much  of  this  time,  the  boxes  of 
supplies  sent  by  the  Government  were  piled  up  on  the  Island, 
and  many  of  them  were  broken  open  at  night,  as  he  supposes, 
by  the  Rebels — because  they  were  outside  of  the  enclosure 
where  the  prisoners  were  confined.  After  this,  Col.  SANDER 
SON  was  employed  to  deliver  the  supplies — assisted,  from  time 
to  time,  by  another  Federal  officer.  He  was  employed  two  or 


22 

three  hours  a  day,  for  some  three  months.  During  this  time, 
he  issued  no  provisions  at  all.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  very  harsh 
in  his  treatment  of  the  men.  During  this  time,  he  (Taylor) 
was  with  Col.  SANDERSON,  under  his  orders,  assisting  in  the 
delivery  of  the  supplies  of  clothing. 

Occasionally,  a  man  or  so  would  come  out  and  ask  for  par 
ticular  articles  ;  and  he  has  heard  Col.  SANDERSON  repeatedly 
use  harsh  language  towards  them,  and  order  them  away — call 
ing  them  "  dirty  fellows ;"  and,  very  often,  he  has  seen  him 
kick  them  ;  and  he  has  heard  him  order  some  of  the  men  to 
be  bucked.  The  men  were  suffering  very  much  from  cold 
and  the  want  of  provisions.  Col.  SANDERSON  seemed  to  have 
no  patience  with  them  :  he  seemed  to  use  them  more  like 
brutes  than  like  men.  The  reason  why  he  ordered  them  to 
be  bucked,  as  he  supposes,  was  that  they  had  sold  some  of 
their  clothing  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  food.  A  consider 
able  number  of  the  Rebel  guards  were  clothed  in  the  United 
States'  clothing,  much  of  which  was  obtained  from  the  Union 
soldiers — as  he  (Taylor)  supposed,  in  exchange  for  provisions  ; 
but  not  all  of  it,  for  he  saw  Col.  SANDERSON  give  some  of  it 
aw^ay  to  the  Rebels — especially  did  he  see  the  Colonel  give 
to  one  man  an  overcoat. 

Out  of  the  coffee  and  sugar  sent  by  the  Federal  Govern 
ment,  the  prisoners  received  coffee  and  sugar  twice — -I  mean, 
for  two  mornings,  and  no  more  ;  the  balance  was  otherwise 
disposed  of.  He  (Taylor)  saw  a  Rebel  Quarter-master  cross 
the  river  with  a  quantity  of  the  public  supplies,  in  a  boat 
marked  for  Fredericksburg.  Is  persuaded  in  his  own  mind 
that  a  large  quantity  of  such  supplies  were  consumed  by  the 
Rebels,  and  saw  the  guard  eating  them. 

Adds,  that  he  saw  Col.  SANDERSON  very  intimate  with  some 
of  the  Rebel  officers,  and  appeared  to  have  private  conversa 
tions  with  them  ;  but  did  not  know  what  passed  upon  those 
occasions.  Have  seen  Col.  SANDERSON  standing  with  Rebel 
officers — when  some  of  the  Union  prisoners  would  approach,, 
with  their  hands  in  their  pockets,  in  rags  and  tatters  ;  and 
Col.  SANDERSON,  instead  of  commiserating  their  condition, 
would  seem  to  make  sport  of  them,  and  order  them  to  take 


23 

their  hands  out  of  their  pockets  Corp.  Taylor  thinks  that" 
Serg.  Hill  could  also  make  a  statement  similar  to  the  above, 
for  he  was  employed  with  himself  in  delivering  clothing  under 
Col.  SANDERSON'S  order :  the  Sergeant  belongs  to  Co.  K,  same 
regiment. 

The  above  is  a  true  statement — 

W.  A.  TAYLOR, 

Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa. 
WASHINGTON  CITY,  April  1,  1864. 


STATEMENT  OP  LT.  COL.  J.  M.  SANDERSON. 

I  hereby  state,  on  honor,  that  on  the  20th  day  of  July,  1863,. 
whilst  marching  from  the  field  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  into  Vir 
ginia,  I  was  requested  by  Major  Win.  Russell,  Jr.,  Acting 
Ass't  Adj't  General,  of  the  First  Corps,  to  accompany  him  in 
search  for  a  ford  over  a  deep,  swift  stream,  called  Goose  Creek. 
Having  obtained  permission  from  the  Major  Gen'l  Comm'g, 
John  Newton,  we  proceeded  on  our  mission.  The  first  cross 
ing  we  examined,  proving  too  strong  and  too  deep  for  either 
artillery  or  infantry,  we  retraced  our  steps,  and  halting  the 
column,  ere  turning  out  of  the  main  road,  set  forth  again  to 
seek  another  which  was  represented  as  being  superior.  After 
a  detour  of  nearly  five  miles,  we  finally  reached  the  object  of 
our  search,  and  while  the  Major  was  writing  a  despatch  to 
send  back  to  the  General,  I  crossed  the  ford,  for  the  purpose 
of  testing  it.  Finding  it  all  that  could  be  desired,  I  returned 
to  my  companion,  who  had  sent  off  his  message,  and  was  qui 
etly  watering  his  horse  near  the  middle  of  the  stream,  the 
only  remaining  orderly  being  near  him.  Reporting  to  him  the 
result  of  my  investigation,  and  debating  as  to  whether  we 
should  await  the  arrival  of  the  Corps,  or  proceed  on  our  road, 
we  were  startled  by  an  unearthly  yell,  which,  as  we  soon  dis 
covered,  came  from  a  band  of  guerillas,  who,  under  cover  of 
the  noise  arising  from  the  mill-dam,  and  hidden  by  the  thick 
foliage  of  the  trees  which  fringed  the  road  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  creek,  had  stolen  upon  us  unawares.  Being  twelve 
in  number  and  armed  to  the  teeth,  resistance  on  our  part  wa§- 


.     24 

In  vain.  Having  disarmed  us,  we  were  carried  to  Culpepper, 
and  subsequently  taken  to  Richmond.  Here  we  were  placed 
in  the  celebrated  and  infamous  den  known  as  "  Libby  Prison," 
with  about  six  hundred  other  Federal  officers.  At  this  period, 
the  space  allotted  to  this  class  of  prisoners  of  war.  comprised 
three  lofts,  each  100  by  40  feet,  on  the  third  or  upper  floor, 
and  one  on  the  second  of  similar  dimensions.  The  latter  was 
occupied  mostly  by  officers  of  Milroy's  command,  the  apart 
ment  over  it  being  set  apart  for  Col.  A.  D.  Straight,  and  his 
immediate  companions,  with  some  few  cavalry  officers  taken 
during  the  fight  in  June.  These  two  rooms  constituted  one 
department,  known  as  the  "  Western,"  and  were  for  a  time 
under  Col.  Streight's  command,  although  he  was  not  the  rank 
ing  officer.  The  other  two  lofts  were  mainly  devoted  to  the 
prisoners  taken  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  and  subsequently, 
most  of  them  belonging  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  These 
constituted  the  "  Eastern  Department,"  and  were  under  the 
direction  of  Col.  Charles  W.  Tilden,  of  the  16th  Maine,  the 
ranking  officer.  Into  this  section  my  companion  and  myself 
were  turned  loose,  by  the  prison  official,  who  kindly  advised 
us  to  select  the  softest  plank  we  could  find,  and  make  ourselves 
comfortable.  Immediately  on  our  arrival  we  were  placed  in 
full  knowledge  of  the  nature  of  our  prison  fare,  by  scores  of 
willing  relators,  wTho  I  will  do  them  the  justice  to  say,  on  that 
point  did  not  exaggerate.  On  making  a  reconnoisance  the 
next  day,  we  soon  discovered  that  the  best  portion  of  our 
prison-house  was  reserved  for  the  residents  in  Streight's  room, 
every  one  of  them  having  the  undivided  half  of  a  bunk,  with 
all  the  privileges  and  stock  thereunto  appertaining.  As  no  other 
apartment  possessed  seats  of  any  kind,  and  as  a  grateful  south 
western  breeze  visited  it  at  almost  every  hour  of  the  day  and 
night,  it  became  in  a  measure,  the  lounging  hall  of  the  heat- 
oppressed  and  heart-sick  prisoner. 

In  this  department  they  enjoyed  another  privilege,  which, 
up  to  the  time  of  my  arrival,  had  been  denied  the  Eastern 
section,  that  of  preparing  their  own  food.  A  few  days  after, 
however,  this  defect  was  remedied,  and  stoves  being  placed  at 
one  end  of  the  centre  apartment,  rations  of  meat,  rice,  and 


25 

beans,  were  served  us  uncooked.  Luckily  for  my  comrades, 
but  unfortunately  for  me,  as  the  result  has  proven,  my  repu 
tation  as  a  hotel-keeper  and  amateur  cook  being  known,  I  was 
solicited  to  superintend  the  culinary  and  messing  arrange 
ments,  and  teach  my  brother  officers  how  to  prepare  their 
food.  Having  pledged  me  active  co-operation,  and  proper 
subordination,  I  accepted  this  very  arduous  position.  The 
company  being  divided  into  twelve  messes  of  from  18  to  20 
each,  I  apportioned  each  stove,  there  being  but  three,  to  four 
messes,  allowing  one  hour  to  prepare  breakfast,  and  three 
hours  for  dinner.  The  tables  also  were  parcelled  out,  so  as  to 
prevent  interference,  or  collision  between  the  various  parties. 
The  utensils  being  limited  to  our  most  primitive  necessities, 
the  least  interruption  or  delay  in  preparing  the  meals  caused 
much  inconvenience  and  wrangling.  A  very  short  experience 
convinced  me  that  but  little  dependence  was  to  be  placed  on 
the  forbearance  or  courtesy  of  my  fellows-prisoners,  one  to  the 
other,  and  feeling  some  pride  in  carrying  out  successfully  the 
task  assigned  me,  I  was  forced  to  obtain  from  the  prison 
authorities  the  official  approval  of  my  regulations,  which  were 
carefully  digested,  clearly  written,  and  conveniently  posted, 
so  "  that  he  that  runs  might  read."  Thus  fortified,  I  took  my 
stand,  among  the  earliest,  by  the  fire,  and  "from  early  dawn 
to  dewy  eve,"  for  nearly  three  months,  was  ever  to  be  found 
at  my  post,  teaching  the  uninformed,  advising  the  willing, 
directing  the  erring,  and  curbing  the  wrong-headed.  The  one, 
before  salting  his  soup,  sought  me  ;  the  other,  doubtful  as  to 
his  progress,  took  counsel  with  me  ;  the  third,  demurring  at 
robbing  his  mixture  of  its  traditionary  grease,  disputed  my 
philosophy  ;  whilst  the  fourth,  seeking  only  his  own  comfort, 
tested  my  endurance,  and  endeavored  to  break  through  my 
discipline.  Every  new-comer  served  an  apprenticeship  under 
my  hands  ;  and  every  difficulty  was  subjected  to  my  arbitra 
ment  ;  and  for  a  time  so  well  did  this  system  work,  that  the 
Western  department,  which  had  formerly  been  the  object  of 
our  envy,  suddenly  became  emulous  of  our  comfort,  and  sought, 
by  adopting  our  system,  to  rid  themselves  of  a  spirit  of  insub 
ordination,  which  threatened  to  sweep  away  all  authority,  but 
that  of  force. 


26 

Some  opposition  being  evinced,  and  an  unanimous  invitation 
being  indispensable  to  my  acceptance,  a  meeting  was  called, 
at  which  the  officers  comprising  the  smaller  messes,  foremost 
among  them  Col.  Straight,  succeeded  in  interposing  so  many 
obstacles  that  the  whole  thing  was  abandoned  in  disgust,  and 
disorder  and  selfishness  reigned  thenceforth  triumphant.  Sub 
sequent  to  this,  during  a  political  discussion  between  Col. 
Streight  and  another  officer,  the  former  made  a  most  outra 
geous  statement,  which  he  called  upon  me,  an  uninterested 
listener,  to  endorse.  This  I  not  only  declined,  but  even  re 
fused  to  believe.  Infuriated  by  this  unexpected  rebuff,  he 
forgot  what  little  manners  he  was  possessed  of,  and  loudly 
branded  me  "  as  a  knave  or  a  fool."  Somewhat  puzzled  as  to 
what  course  to  pursue,  under  the  circumstances,  with  such  a 
burly  and  brutal  antagonist,  I  remained  perfectly  silent  for  a 
few  minutes,  until  emboldened  by  my  supposed  cowardice,  he 
repeated  the  offensive  epithets  three  times.  Unable  to  endure 
this  longer  I  quickly  rose  from  my  seat  on  the  floor,  and  ap 
proaching  him  as  near  as  was  possible,  made  this  reply  : 
"  Col.  Streight  there  is  a  certain  amount  of  respect  due  from 
my  rank  to  yours,  which  I  am  always  ready  to  accord,  but  you 
have  now  passed  the  limit  beyond  which  no  man  can  go  with 
impunity ;  I  therefore  proclaim  you  a  liar  and  a  coivard  /" 
From  that  day  to  this  no  other  words  have  passed  between 
this  officer  arid  myself.  Generally  condemned,  as  far  as  I 
could  learn,  by  every  one  whose  opinion  was  worth  having, 
Col.  Streight  omitted  no  opportunity  of  abusing  and  vilifying 
me  behind  my  back,  all  of  which  I  treated  with  silent  con 
tempt. 

At  length,  however,  an  event  occurred  which  enabled  him 
to  regain  his  waning  popularity,  and  turn  the  current  of  popu 
lar  opinion  against  me  and  my  immediate  friends.  Taking 
advantage  of  the  chronic  complaints  against  the  quantity  of 
food  issued  us  by  our  keepers,  he  addressed  a  letter  to  Gen. 
Winder,  asserting  that  we  were  in  the  daily  receipt  of  but 
half  a  pound  of  bread^  and  a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  meat — 
which,  he  claimed,  was  totally  inadequate  to  support  life. 
Summoning  the  Commissary  of  the  prison  (a  Mr.  Burnham, 


27 

who  had  then  and  subsequently  given  us  many  evidences  of 
his  sympathy)  before  him,  the  notorious  Winder  demanded 
why  he  had  defrauded  the  prisoners  of  one-half  the  rations 
furnished  by  the  Confederate  Government.  Indignantly  de 
nying  the  charge,  Mr.  Burnham  promised  to  produce  evidence 
of  his  honesty  ;  and,  on  returning  to  the  prison,  notified  us 
that  thereafter  we  must  select  an  officer  from  each  department 
in  whom  we  had  confidence — -whose  duty  it  should  be  to  see 
the  rations  weighed,  and  superintend  personally  their  transfer 
to  the  officers'  quarters. 

From  the  "  Eastern  department"  was  selected  a  Lt.  Jones  ; 
whilst,  from  the  "  Western,"  was  chosen  a  Capt.  McIIollick, 
an  officer  belonging  to  Slreiglifs  own  regiment.  These  gentle 
men,  thenceforth,  presented  themselves  at  the  Commissary 
Department,  every  morning,  with  a  requisition  for  eighteen 
ounces  of  bread  and  half  a  pound  of  fresh  meat,  for  every 
officer  or  individual  confined  in  the  prison.  In  their  presence 
the  scales  were  tested;  the  required  amount  of  food  furnished; 
and  its  transfer  to  the  upper  rooms,  by  agency  of  negroes, 
(also  prisoners  of  War,)  made  under  their  supervision.  As 
anxious  as  any  one  for  an  increase  of  rations  ;  and  believing, 
in  common  with  my  comrades,  that  we  were  not  receiving  our 
full  quota,  I  curiously  awaited  the  first  supply  under  the  new 
order  of  things  ;  and  was  proportionately  disappointed  in 
finding  the  amount  the  same.  Closely  questioning  the  new 
Commissaries,  I  was  satisfied  in  my  own  mind  that  we  had 
erred,  especially  when  each  day's  supplies  confirmed  the  fact. 
Many  of  the  officers,  however,  stoutly  contended  we  were  re 
ceiving  more  ;  but  they  were  not  in  a  position  to  judge  ;. 
whilst  I,  having  occasion  to  see  the  exact  quantity  delivered 
to  each  mess  and  subsequently  put  into  the  soup  pots,  could 
speak  "  by  the  book."  At  length,  a  proper  time  having 
elapsed,  Mr.  Burnham  demanded  from  the  Commissaries  a  cer 
tificate  to  the  effect  that  he  had  not  only  delivered  the  exact 
amount  as  required,  during  the  time  specified,  but  that  (as  far 
as  they  could  judge)  he  had  done  so  for  some  time  previous.. 
This  they  not  only  acceded  to,  but  went  further — too  far,  in 
my  opinion  :  by  saying  that  there  was  a  general  satisfaction. 


28 

among  the  prisoners  on  the  subject  of  their  treatment  by  all 
the  officers  attached  to  the  prison.  This  certificate,  thus 
worded,  was  brought  up  stairs  by  Mr.  Burnham  to  Col.  Til- 
den  and  myself,  in  our  official  capacity  as  commandant  of  the 
room  and  director  of  the  kitchen.  Mr.  Burnham  being  a  per 
fect  stranger  to  me,  of  course  I  had  no  bias  in  his  favor  ;  and, 
after  reading  Lt.  Jones'  certificate,  frankly  professed  my  wil 
lingness  to  endorse  it  as  far  as  I  was  personally  concerned, 
but  did  not  feel  justified  in  speaking  for  any  other  officer  ; 
and  Col.  Tilden,  when  referred  to,  coincided  with  me.  Anx 
ious  to  obtain  our  signature,  he  finally  said,  we  might  put  it 
in  any  shape  most  agreeable  to  ourselves.  Thereupon,  we 
added  these  words  :  "  In  endorsing  our  approval,  we  desire 
to  state  distinctly  that  we  speak  for  ourselves,  individually 
and  personally,  and  not  for  any  other  officer  in  the  prison." 
With  this  paper  he  sought  Col.  Cesnola,  for  the  purpose  of  ob 
taining  his  approval  to  another  one  drawn  up  by  Capt.  Mc- 
Hollick  (Streight's  own  man),  in  which  the  "  lie  direct"  was 
given  to  his  commander.  This  rather  alarmed  Cesnola,  who 
exhibited  it  to  another  officer — a  friend  of  Streight  (as,  at  that 
moment,  there  existed  a  coldness  between  Streight  and  Ces 
nola.)  By  him  the  paper  was  shown  to  Streight  himself,  who 
immediately  requested  a  copy — not  only  of  that,  but  of  the 
one  given  by  Jones,  and  endorsed  by  Tilden  and  myself :  but 
Cesnola,  on  being-  referred  to,  declined  to  permit  it,  unless  a 
pledge  was  given  that  no  use  should  be  made  of  it  to  the  dis 
paragement  of  Tilden  and  myself;  nor,  in  fact,  should  it  be 
exhibited  without  his  (Cesnola's)  consent.  This  pledge,  Ces 
nola  assured  me,  was  given,  and  the  copying  permitted.  On 
the  following  day,  after  the  reading  of  the  Libby  Chronicle, 
(a  weekly  paper,  published  but  not  printed})  these  documents 
were  publicly  read  to  an  unusually  large  crowd  convened  for 
the  occasion  ;  and  an  announcement  was  made  that,  on  the 
following  day,  a  meeting  would  be  held  "  for  the  purpose  of 
passing  resolutions  condemnatory  of  the  course  of  Col.  Tilden 
and  Col.  SANDERSON." 

As  stated,  the  meeting  took  place.     Its  officers  were  Major 
Bates,  80th  Ills.,  Chairman  ;  Major  Harry  White,  67thPenna., 


29 

Secretary ;  Lt.  Col.  Jere  Williams,  25th  Ohio  •  Dr.  Spencer, 
(Streight's  surgeon,)  and  Capt.  B.  F.  Fisher,  committee  on  res 
olutions.  The  speakers  were  Lt.  Col.  Irvin,  10th  N.  Y.  Cav'y, 
Major  Henry,  5th  Ohio  Cav'y,  and  the  much-injured  Streight. 
As  I  was  not  present,  I  am  unable  to  speak  knowingly  of  the 
proceedings,  but  from  conversation  we  learned  that  CoL 
Streight  made  remarks  of  a  most  personal,  abusive  and  threat 
ening  character  ;  speaking  in  most  discourteous  terms  of  the 
writer,  and  offering  to  fight  one  or  both  of  the  parties 
assailed.  The  cause  of  all  this  ire,  as  far  as  we  were  able  to 
discover,  arose,  not  from  our  making  a  false  statement,  but  in 
our  proving  Col.  Streight  to  have  done  so  ;  and  the  ground 
assumed  by  some  of  our  opponents  was,  that  we  were  not  jus 
tified  in  rescuing  an  enemy's  officer  from  a  dilemma,  even  though 
he  ivas  in  the  right  !  To  this  we  simply  replied,  "  that,  on  be 
ing  asked  a  straightforward  question,  we  «could  only  give  a 
straightforward  answer  ;  and  for  one,  I  never  feared  to  put  in 
writing,  what  I  had  deliberately  expressed  orally.  As  re 
gards  an  enemy's  officer,  where  Justice  and  Truth  were  con 
cerned,  I  recognized  neither  friend  nor  foe  ;  and  before  my 
fealty  to  my  country  I  owed  an  allegiance  to  my  God.  I  was 
a  man  before  I  was  a  soldier,  and  had  always  been  taught, 
that  "justice  should  be  done  though  the  heavens  fall!" 
Among  the  dissentients  to  our  course,  the  most  determined, 
and  at  the  same  time  the  most  dignified,  were  Lt.  Col.  Wil 
liams,  Major  Bates,  Major  Henry,  and  Capt.  Fisher,  between 
all  of  whom  and  myself  there  sprung  up  a  coldness  which 
lasted  for  some  time,  but  as  time  wore  on,  and  our  comforts 
were  increased,  explanations  took  place,  and  reconciliation 
ensued.  As  a  good  deal  of  feeling  very  justly  existed  in  re 
gard  to  Lt.  Jones'  statement  as  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  com 
rades  towards  the  officers  of  the  prison,  the  paper  con 
taining  this  expression  was  returned  to  us,  and  another, 
doing  full  justice  to  Mr.  Burnkam,  personally,  and  to  the  con 
duct  of  the  Confederacy  generally,  was  substituted,  and  this  "tem 
pest  in  a  teapot "  subsided ;  although  a  considerable  feeling  of 
uneasiness  prevailed  for  a  long  time  as  to  the  course  I  should 
pursue  when  released,  the  attention  of  the  moving  spirits  be- 


30 

Ing  especially  called   to  the    26th  Art.  of  the  Revised  Army 
Regulations. 

During  all  this  time  my  duties  as  Culinary  Director  were 
constantly  increasing,  every  new  comer,  or  "  fresh  fish,'7  being 
turned  over  to  me  for  instruction.  At  last  a  vast  augmenta 
tion  of  our  numbers  took  place,  from  the  unlucky  field  of 
Chickamauga,  giving  us  some  three  or  four  hundred  officers 
additional,  every  one  of  whom  was  thrust  into  our  quarters.  For 
a  day  or  two  all  regulations  were  set  at  nought,  and  disorder 
and  confusion  prevailed  everywhere,  but  increased  accommo 
dations  having  been  furnished  UP,  I  undertook  to  regulate  the 
cooking  department  of  the  strangers,  and  in  less  than  a  week 
"all  went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell,"  barring  of  course  the 
usual  amount  of  bickering  and  ill  temper.  But  this  increased 
amount  of  work  was  rather  too  severe  forme,  and  I  was  finally 
forced  to  succumb  to  a  violent  cold  caught  in  the  performance 
oi  my  duties.  For  a  few  days  I  laid  down  in  my  quarters,  on 
the  floor,  without  the  slightest  medical  attention,  or  necessary 
comforts  ;  and  in  reply  to  my  application  to  be  sent  to  the  hos 
pital,  was  informed  that  it  was  so  full,  that  it  was  impossible  to 
accommodate  as  many  as  absolutely  required  to  be  there.  l>ut 
at  length  my  friends  became  alarmed,  and  I  was  permitted  to 
stagger  down  to  the  building,  employed  for  that  purpose,  about 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  below  us.  On  arriving  here,  sick  and  ex 
hausted,  there  was  no  bed  ready  for  me,  and  it  was  only  after 
a  distressing  delay,  that  I  was  enabled  to  secure  one,  (I  men 
tion  these  things  merely  to  show  the  great  consideration  1  was 
held  in  by  the  enemy.)  Into  this  I  immediately  plunged,  and 
remained  almost  senseless  and  motionless  for  thirty-six  hours. 
On  the  second  day,  finding  myself  better  after  my  long  and 
comfortable  repose,  I  rose  and  dressed  myself,  and  for  n  short 
time  conversed  with  my  brother  officers.  I  then  prescribed 
for  myself,  took  my  own  medicines,  which  I  always  carry  with 
me,  and  again  returned  to  my  bed.  The  surgeon  in  charge. 
Dr.  Siball,  after  examining  me,  and  hearing  what  I  had  done, 
declined  to  interfere  with  my  own  treatment,  and  passed  on. 
The  next  morning  after  the  proper  operation  of  my  medicine, 
I  found  myself  so  much  better  that  I  concluded  to  return  to 


31 

my  quarters  at  the  prison,  influenced  thereto  by  several  rea 
sons, — first,  because  I  found  the  groanings  and  distresses  of 
my  fellow-prisoners,  both  officers  and  privates,  all  occupying 
the  same  building,  were  so  terrible  as  to  depress  my  spirits, — 
second,  because  the  accommodations  afforded  the  officers  were 
so  limited,  as  to  prevent  full  justice  being  done  to  the  really 
sick, — and  third,  because  all  the  operations  of  nature  had 
to  be  performed  in  a  filthy  and  disgusting  place,  in  common 
with  the  private  soldiers,  who  were  by  no  means  particular  as 
to  appearances  or  cleanliness.  Making  up  "  my  kit,"  and  dis 
tributing  among  the  most  needy,  my  stock  of  provisions,  of 
which  I  had  laid  in  a  goodly  store,  I  informed  the  surgeon  of 
my  desire  to  leave,  and  greatly  against  his  advice,  persisted  in 
my  determination,  returning  to  my  prison  quarters  on  the 
third  day. 

During  the  few  hours  that  I  found  myself  sufficiently  re 
covered  to  converse  with  my  comrades,  I  related  to  a  few  of 
the  prominent  ones,  Col.  Powell,  Col.  Monroe  Nichols,  Capt. 
Skelton,  and  perhaps  one  or  two  others,  some  of  the  incidents 
of  our  prison  life,  and  disclosed  to  some  of  them  the  outlines 
of  a  proposed  plan  of  escape,  which  had  grown  into  propor 
tions  from  a  suggestion  made  by  myself,  when  it  was  expected 
that  we  should  be  removed  from  Richmond  to  Salisbury,  N. 
C.,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  food  in  the  former  city.  This 
idea  had  seized  me  shortly  after  my  difficulty  with  Col.  Sir-eight, 
and  having  before  my  eyes  a  healthy  fear  of  tho  penalties 
attached  to  a  conspiracy  to  escape,  when  loss  of  life  might 
eventuate,  (see  order  No.  100,)  and  having  no  confidence  in 
the  warm  feelings  of  my  Southern  friends  towards  me  in  case 
of  conviction,  I  acted  with  that  circumspection  necessary  to 
one  who  plots  with  his  head  in  his  hand. 

Believing  that  Streight  and  his  immediate  associates  had  no 
personal  love  for  me,  and  fearing  also  the  enmity  of  certain 
men  in  my  own  quarters,  whose  insubordinate  conduct  and 
character  had  more  than  once  brought  them  under  my  official 
displeasure,  I  stated  my  views  very  secretly  and  very  cha 
rily.  To  Cols.  Tilden,  Cesnola,  and  Wilson,  Lt.  Cols.  Rogers, 
Cavada,  Walker,  Spofford,  Henry,  and  Hayes,  and  Majors 


32 

Eussell,  Henry,  White,  and   Neeper,  I   was  frank  and  open, 
leaving  to  them  to  elaborate  the  details,  and  select  their  aids. 
As  originally  devised,  the  plan  was  this  :  Selecting  from  the 
great  mass  a  few  brave  and  prudent  men  to  act  as  field  and 
line  officers,  the  remainder  were  to  be  recruited,  under  the 
seal  of  secrecy,  as  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates ; 
each    captain   selecting   his    company   from    his    own    asso 
ciates,  disclosing  to  each  as  much  of  the  plan  as  would  be 
deemed  necessary  to  insure  his  hearty  co-operation,  and  wil 
lingness  to  drill  punctually  and  obey  orders.     Having  an  ex 
aggerated  opinion  of  Col.   Cesnola  at  that  moment,  he  was 
invited  to  take  the  leadership,  whilst   Col.  Tilden  and  the 
other  ranking  officers  were  to  constitute  the  line.     I,  myself, 
volunteering  as  a  high  private  under  Tilden.     In  the  midst 
of  our  deliberations,  however,  the  battle  of    Chickamauga 
occurred  and  swelled  by  its  results  the  number  of  our  com 
rades  to  about  a  thousand,  while  the  sum  total  of  the  rank 
and  file  amounted  to  over  ten  thousand,  one  third  of  which 
were  confined  in  tobacco  warehouses  directly  opposite  to  us. 
As  soon  as  we   became   sufficiently   acquainted,  the   leading 
spirits  of  the  Western  Army,  among  them  that  gallant  and 
lamented  officer,  Col.  Bartleson,  the  pluckey  and  nettlesome 
Lefavour,   the   accomplished  Carleton,  and   the   indomitable 
Rose  were  taken  into  confidence,  and,  the  question  of  removal 
being  dropped,  it  was  proposed  to   give   a  more  extended 
character  to  our  enterprise,  and  attempt  with  the  aid  of  our 
own  government,  a  feat  of  arms  and  strategy  which  should  at 
once  give  us  both  liberty  and  renoAvn.     Being  under  the  im 
pression  that  there  was  a  spy  among  us — a  not  impossible 
event — all  our  consultations  resolved  themselves  into  tete-a-tete 
interviews,  Col.  Cesnola  being  the  common  medium,  to  him 
being  intrusted  our  various  suggestions  for  the  purpose  of 
enabling  him  to   elaborate  and  perfect  the  necessary  details. 
Having  obtained  a  map  of  the  city,  and  learning  the   exact 
depots  of  arms  and  artillery,  the  places  of  rendezvous  of  the 
militia,  the  residence  of  the  arch-fiend  Davis,  and  his  head- 
devils,   Benjamin,  Seddou,  and  others,  and  of  the    different 
members  of  Congress,  when  it  should  be  convened,  we  cast  about 


33 

to  find  means  to  apprise  our  own  government  of  our  inten 
tions.  At  this  juncture  a  rebel  officer  came  to  the  prison  and' 
obtained,  in  exchange  for  himself,  the  release  of  a  federaf 
officer  of  corresponding  rank,  he  being  a  Lieutenant-Colonel 
on  the  staff  of  John  Morgan.  By  right  Lt.  Col.  Von  Schra- 
der,  Lt.  Col.  J.  F.  Boyd,  or  myself  were  the  only  parties 
entitled  to  this  exchange,  but  by  some  means  Lt.  Col.  Irvin, 
of  the  10th  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  was  fortunate  enough  to  be  select 
ed,  and  to  him,  as  I  learned  from  Cesnola,  was  confided  the 
details  of  our  plan,  to  be  narrated  to  the  government.  In  the 
meantime  we  quietly  proceeded  with  our  arrangements,  and 
awaited  some  indications  of  the  acquiescence  of  the  military 
authorities  at  home. 

During  this  interregnum  it  was  that  I  was  taken  sick  and 
carried  to  the  hospital.  The  next  or  succeeding  day  after  my 
return  to  my  quarters,  while  still  very  weak  and  far  from  well, 
I  was  told  by  Col.  Cesnola  that  Streight  had  been  occupying 
himself  in  devising  a  plan  of  escape  by  which  he  proposed  to 
carry  off  all  the  honors,  deeming  our  scheme  entirely  too 
slow  and  too  old  fogyish  for  his  ardent  and  enthusiastic  tem 
perament.  Tiie  minutia3  of  his  proposed  exodus  were  simple 
and  few.  On  a  fixed  night — shortly  to  arrive — the  City  Bat- 
tallion,  a  military  organization  which  had  had  charge  of  us 
heretofore,  being  withdrawn  for  a  limited  space  for  the  pur 
pose  of  improving  themselves  in  drill  and  camp  duty,  their 
places  being  filled  by  Pickett's  Division  of  veteran  troops,  the 
heroes  of  a  hundred  fights, — he  and  his  chosen  band  were  to 
break  from  the  prison,  overpower  the  guard,  and,  if  strong 
enough,  fire  the  city,  and  take  the  chances  of  capturing  it,  or 
of  making  their  escape  into  our  own  lines,  Taking  into  con 
sideration  that  the  city  was  full  of  militia  ;  and  that  four  thou 
sand  regulars  were  in  convenient  distance  ;  that  his  one  or 
two  hundred  heroes  had  no  organization  and  no  arms  ;  with 
every  avenue  to  our  lines  carefully  guarded,  and  the  means  of 
concentrating  the  various  regiments  instantaneous  ;  arid  with 
nothing  to  occupy  their  attention  but  the  exciting  chase  after 
a  hundred  or  two  half-starved  Yankee  prisoners — I  could  not 
but  regard  such  an  idea  as  emanating  from  none  but  a  lunatic 


34 

or  a  braggadocio,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  pronounce  it  murder 
ous  and  fool-hardy  ;  and  was  greatly  relieved  to  learn  that  not 
even  his  most  cherished  associates  were  willing  to  assist  in 
such  an  enterprise,  obliging  him  to  fall  back  upon  his  subal 
terns,  of  whom  he  had  contrived  to  gain  over  to  his  plan  not 
over  a  hundred,  or  a  hundred  and  fifty  at  the  utmost. 

Whilst  discussing  the  merits  of  this  scheme  we  were  startled 
by  observing  an  unusual  commotion  in   the  streets,   an  extra 
number  of  guards  being  posted  around  our  prison,  and  at  least 
two  pieces  of  artillery   being  placed  so  as  to  command  the 
exits.     More  severity  was  also  used  in  carrying  out  the  prison 
regulations,  no  one,  for  a  time,  being  permitted  to  approach 
the  windows.     At  first  we   were  inclined  to  suppose  that  our 
long-talked-of  removal  was   to   be  effected.     Then  a   rumor 
pervaded  our   quarters  that  the    citizens  of  Richmond  had 
declared  their  intention  of  opening  our  prison  doors  and  set 
ting  us  free,  on  the  ground  that  we  were  raising  the  price  of 
subsistence  so  high  that  they  and  their  families  were  on  the 
point  of  starvation.     After  two   days'  wonderment  and  alarm 
the.  extra  guard  were  suddenly  withdrawn,  the  artillery  quietly 
removed,  and  everything  jogged  on  as  usual.     And  then  it 
was,  for  the  first,  we  learned  that  we  had  perfected  a  plan  for 
escape  which  had  been  betrayed  by  one  of  our  own  number. 
This  startling  intelligence  was  communicated  either  by  Mr. 
Higgins,  Winder's  private   secretary,  to   Col.  Cesnola,  or  by 
the  notorious  Dick  Turner  to   Col.  Streight,  I  am  unable   to 
say  which.     All  this  time  it  must  be  remembered  that  I  was 
an  invalid,  having  only  a  morning  or  two   previous  to  the 
event  narrated  above  fallen  down  in  a  fainting  fit  whilst  stand 
ing  up  in  line  for  "  roll  call."     A  day  or  two  after  things  had 
resumed  their  usual  current,  and  we  were  racking  our  brains 
to  discover  the  traitor  among  us,   Cesnola  came   to  me   and 
taking  me  aside  informed  me  that  Streight  had  charged  me  in 
his  own  room  with  being  the  "guilty  one.'7     Furiously  indig 
nant,  in  spite  of  my  weakness,  I  desired  to  confront  the  foul 
slanderer  at  once,  but  in  view  of  the  utter  impossibility  of  my 
taking  any  suitable  vengeance,  or  of  obtaining  any  redress 
from  my  brutal  and  vulgar  calumniator,  I  was  perforce  obliged 


35 

to  adopt  Cesnola'*  advice  and  leave  to  time  the  mode  of  ob 
taining  satisfaction.  I  frankly  acknowledge  that  this  calumny 
•exercised  me  greatly,  and  I  could  not  but  blame  myself  for 
having  spoken  at  all  on  the  subject  while  in  the  hospital, 
believing,  as  I  conscientiously  did,  that  some  eaves-dropper 
or  "weak-kneed  brother"  had  over-heard  my  disclosures  to  my 
brother  officers  there,  and  had  communicated  the  meagre  de 
tails  afforded  to  the  confederates.  Everyday  and  every  hour 
this  thought  haunted  me,  and  I  spared  no  effort  to  discover 
if  such  could  have  been  the  case,  but  I  was  assured  by  all 
that  I  conversed  with,  who  had  spent  any  time  in  the  hospital- 
that  every  one  of  the  attendants,  including  the  Ward  Master, 
•with  whom  I  had  had  a  few  minutes  conversation,  were  all 
federal  prisoners,  and  as  anxious  to  have  such  a  scheme  sue 
cessfully  carried  out  as  myself.  There  was  one  person,  how 
ever,  of  whom  some  suspicion  was  entertained — a  Mr.  Yer- 
million  of  Keokuk,  Iowa,  a  citizen  clerk  or  sutler — but  as  no 
substantial  proof  at  that  time  was  presented,  I  hesitated  to 
.affix  such  a  damning  crime  to  his  charge,  especially  as  I  knew 
him  to  be  a  friend  of  one  of  the  most  gallant  officers  I  ever 
met,  Capt.  11.  F.  Skclton.  and  moreover  could  not  remember 
of  having  conversed  with  him  on  any  subject.  After  a  few 
weeks,  this  incident  being  driven  from  my  mind  by  other  and 
-equally  exciting  rumors,  died  out.  and  as  the  contrc-tcmps  had 
no  marked  effect  upon  our  real  plans,  it  was  only  remembered 
as  one  of  a  series  of  slanders  gotten  up  against  me  by  the 
.same  clique. 

About  this  time,  however,  an  incident  occurred  which 
afforded  my  enemies  a  splendid  chance  to  exercise  their 
vocation.  Capt.  Atwood,  a  member  of  my  mess,  and  the 
source  of  much  annoyance  to  me  by  his  captious  and  quarrel 
some  disposition,  being  constantly  engaged  in  some  petty  and 
contemptible  squabble  of  which  I  was  compelled  to  be 
arbiter,  called  my  attention  to  the  conduct  of  a  young  man 
belonging  to  one  of  the  loyal  Virginia  regiments.  On  learn 
ing  the  facts  I  endeavored  to  smooth  the  difficulty,  but  as  At 
wood  demanded  his  rights,  and  as  his  antagonist  was  clearly 
in  the  wrong  by  occupying  at  an  improper  time  a  place  on  a 


36 

itove  belonging  to  another  mess,  I  was  forced  to  act  in  the, 
matter,  my  indisposition  to  do  so  willingly  arising  entirely 
from  the  fact  that  Atwood  was  a  member  of  my  own  mess, 
and  any  decision  I  should  make  in  his  faror  would  be  deemed 
partial.  Having  explained  his  error  to  the  culprit,  I  courte 
ously  requested  him  to  remove  his  vessel  and  await  his  turn 
on  his  own  stove.  This  he  flatly  refused,  being  encouraged 
thereto  by  a  number  of  his  intimates  drawn  there  by  the 
report  of  the  difficulty,  and  when  I  attempted  to  take  the 
kettle  from  the  fire  myself,  he  threatened  me  with  a  case 
knife,  which  he  displayed  with  much  flourish  and  great  em 
phasis.  Not  greatly  terrified  by  this  sudden  apparition  of 
deadly  iron,  but  at  the  same  time  quite  unwilling  to  engage 
in  a  personal  encounter  with  one  so  much  my  junior  in  rank 
and  age,  he  being  a  second  lieutenant  just  out  of  his  teens,  I 
released  my  hold  on  the  offending  pot  and  drawing  my  w^atch 
from  my  pocket,  informed  my  excited  opponent  that  I  would 
give  him  just  five  minutes  to  decide  whether  he  would  remove 
it  himself  or  go  down  to  the  cells.  "  Will  you  send  me  to  the 
cells  ?"  was  his  rather  astonished  question.  "  I  certainly  will, 
unless  that  kettle  is  removed,"  was  my  quiet  reply.  "  You 
don't  dare  do  it !"  shouted  he,  shaking  his  fist  in  my  face. 
"  That,  Sir,  is  simply  a  question  of  time.'7  "  If  you  do,"  was 
his  response,  "  livill  have  your  heart's  Hood!" — I  did.  At  the 
expiration  of  the  five  minutes,  the  kettle  being  still  there,  I 
notified  the  Inspector  of  the  Prison,  and  demanded  that  my 
authority  should  be  sustained  by  making  an  example  of  this 
offender.  Instantly  acceding  to  my  request,  I  asked  him  to 
carry  this  domestic  Rebel  down  stairs,  introduce  him  to  the 
cells,  and  then  inform  him  that  having  the  power  to  inflict 
this  punishment  I  merely  desired  to  convince  him  of  that 
fact,  as  this  was  his  first  offence,  but  that  a  recurrence  of  such 
insubordination  would  inevitably  earn  for  him  a  night's  lodg 
ing  therein.  This,  as  I  afterwards  learned,  was  done  ;  but 
not  exactly  in  conformity  with  my  programme,  Mr.  Turner 
taking  to  himself  all  the  credit  of  the  leniency,  leaving  for  me 
all  the  odium. 

For  a  few  days,  of  course,  the  indignation  of  this  much  in- 


37 

jnred  young  gentleman  and  his  friends  was  perfectly  intense 
— a  committee  of  them  waiting  upon  me  for  the  purpose  of 
ascertaining  if  I  deemed  such  conduct  loyal.  To  which  I 
very  soberly  replied  that  I  did  ;  whereat  their  astonishment 
was  marvelously  increased,  and  only  found  vent  in  an  empha 
tic  demand  that  I  should  resign.  This  I  very  respectfully 
declined  to  do,  on  the  ground  that  I  had  been  invitad  to  fill 
the  position  by  a  very  large  majority  of  the  officers  in  the 
Department ;  and  I  did  not  feel  called  upon  to  obey  the  re 
quirements  of  a  disorderly  and  contemptible  minority.  I  also 
assured  them  that  I  felt  so  well  satisfied  with  the  result  of 
this  action  that  it  was  my  determination  hereafter  to  resort  to  it, 
whenever  circumstances  would  demand  its  application.  Upon, 
this  the  interview  closed,  and  I  was  permitted  to  rest  in  peace; 
•but  on  reflection,  finding  that  I  was  exhausting  my  patience 
and  health,  and  increasing  the  number  and  virulence  of  my 
enemies  needlessly,  I  concluded  to  turn  over  the  reins  of 
power  to  my  constituents  and  permit  them  to  select  a  succes 
sor  of  more  pliant  character,  but  up  to  the  moment  of  my 
leaving  they  had  failed  to  secure  so  great  a  treasure,  or  in 
fact  to  find  pany  one  willing  to  assume  the  command  I  had 
relinquished. 

The  next  item  of  interest  in  our  prison  life  arose  from  the 
reception  of  a  large  amount  of  subsistence  and  clothing  sent 
•by  the  United  States  government  and  the  Sanitary  and 
'Christian  Commissions  for  distribution  to  our  sick  and  suffer 
ing  soldiers.  Brigadier  General  Ncal  Dow  being  the  ranking 
officer — he  having  returned  from  Mobile  prison  about  the  26th 
<or  28th  of  October — all  this  material  was  addressed  to  him, 
and  having  selected  one  or  two  officers  to  accompany  him  and 
•aid  in  the  issuing,  he  was  taken  over  to  the  Island  and  per 
mitted  to  use  his  own  judgment  in  its  distribution.  How 
long  he  enjoyed  this  privilege  I  am  unprepared  to  state  posi 
tively,  as  I  busied  himself  neither  with  Jiis  incomings  or  out 
goings  ,  "  his  sayings  or  doings,"  but  the  term  was  short,  not 
over  three  days  at  the  utmost.  The  cause  of  his  being  re 
lieved  was  rumored  to  be  an  ill-advised  and  unfortunate  pro 
test  to  Gen.  Winder  on  the  subject  of  rations,  to  which  the 


38 

only  response  he  received  was  an  invitation  to  mind  his  own 
business,  and  an  order  placing  three  other  gentlemen  in  his 
stead.  This  Committee  consisted  of  Col.  C.  P.  di  Cesnola, 
4th  N.  Y.  Cav.,  Lt.  Col.  J.  F.  Boyd,  Chief  Q.  M.  20th  Corps, 
Lt.  Col.  A.  Von  Schrader,  A.  I.  G.  14th  Corps,  to  whom  was 
assigned  the  distribution  of  the  clothing  only,  the  subsistence 
and  Sanitary  supplies  being  placed  in  charge  of  the  rebel 
officers  exclusively. 

For  three  weeks  everything  under  the  direction  of  these 
gentlemen  went  on  swimmingly.  Col.  Boyd,  one  of  the  most 
systematic  of  Quarter-masters,  prepared  blanks  for  his  col 
leagues,  who,  with  the  aid  of  clerks,  selected  from  the  prison 
ers  themselves,  soon  filled  them  up  with  the  name,  rank,  com 
pany,  regiment,  and  condition  of  the  clothing  of  every  man  on 
the  Island,  in  order  to  see  how  far  the  stock  on  hand  would 
enable  them  to  go  in  distributing  to  the  more  needy  the  vari 
ous  articles  most  required.  Hardly  had  this  been  achievedr 
when  Col.  Cesnola,  by  some  interference  with  the  action  of 
the  authorities,  brought  down  upon  his  head  their  ire  and  dis 
pleasure,  which  evinced  itself  by  a  notification  that  his  ser 
vices  would  no  longer  be  needed.  This  intelligence  was 
brought  him  by  his  friend,  Mr.  Higgins,  who  gave  him  the 
privilege  of  naming  his  successor.  His  first  choice,  I  think, 
was  Col.  Tilden,  who  declined,  in  consequence  of  being  in 
command  of  a  department,  which  he  did  not  care  to  relin 
quish.  I  was  then  solicited  to  take  the  position,  and  also  de 
clined  ;  but,  at  the  earnest  request  of  Col.  Cesnola,  and  the 
rather  persistent  solicitation  of  Major  Turner,  the  Command 
ant  of  the  Prison,  who  informed  me  that  my  name  had  been 
uniformly  suggested  by  my  brother-officers  "  as  the  one  most 
fitted  by  temper  and  capacity"  (I  quote  his  own  words)  "  for 
this  particular  duty  ;"  and  as  it  was  for  the  interest  of  my 
own  Government  that  it  should  be  properly  done,  he  did  not 
think  me  justified  in  refusing.  Unable  to  assign  any  satisfac 
tory  reason  for  a  further  objection,  I  was  obliged  to  accept, 
with  the  proviso  that  if,  after  a  trial,  I  should  be  dissatisfied, 
I  would  be  permitted  to  retire.  This  being  acceded  to,  on 
21st  day  of  November.  I  entered  upon  the  duties. 


/  i- 

39 

After  visiting  the  Island  once  in  company  with  Col. Von  Schra- 
der,  we  applied  for  the  addition  of  another  officer,  and,  at  my 
suggestion,  Lt.  Col.  Hunter,  of  the  123d  Ohio  Vols.,  was  added 
to  the  committee,  and  the  following  division  of  labor  was 
agreed  to  : — Col.  Boyd  was  charged  with  the  accounts,  myself 
with  the  distribution  of  the  clothing  on  the  Island,  and  Cols. 
Von  Schrader  and  Hunter  with  the  examination  and  enrol 
ment  of  the  prisoners  confined  in  the  warehouses  and  hospitals 
in  the  City  of  Richmond.  Capt.  Chamberlain,  of  the  123d 
Ohio,  was  subsequently  added  to  the  committee  without  my 
knowledge  or  consent.  After  a  short  experience  in  the  details 
of  my  labor,  I  found  it  impossible  to  proceed  without  a  com 
panion,  and  accordingly  asked  and  obtained  permission  to  take 
with  me  Lt.  Col.  F.  F.  Ca-vada,  of  the  114th  Perm.  Vols.  In 
this  selection  I  was  greatly  guided  by  the  fact  of  Col.  Cavada 
being  an  accomplished  gentleman  and  suffering  greatly  from 
depression  of  spirits  caused  by  long  imprisonment.  His  du 
ties  were  simply  to  examine  the  letters  passing  between  the 
officers  and  the  men,  and  vice  versa,  in  order  to  carry  out  a 
stipulation  entered  into  with  Lt.  Bussieux,  requiring  us  to  de 
liver-to  him  any  one  containing  improper  or  contraband  ex 
pressions.  This  arrangement  was  effected  in  order  to  expe 
dite  letter  writing — the  number  passing  between  the  two 
points  averaging  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  daily — the  reading 
of  which  proving  too  tedious  for  the  lieutenant,  many  of  them 
were  thrown  aside  and  never  reached  their  destination.  Trust 
ing  to  my  honor  to  carry  out  this  agreement  in  good  faith,  he 
never  thereafter  took  the  trouble  to  open  any  communication 
unless  his  attention  was  specially  invoked — an  event,  I  am 
sorry  to  say,  of  too  frequent  occurrence,  in  spite  of  the  numer 
ous  cautions  given  by  me  to  my  fellow-prisoners.  The  Colonel 
was  also  sometimes  called  upon  to  relieve  me  in  the  issuing  or 
clothing,  but  not  often.  After  five  days  co-operation,  however, 
this  gentleman  was  obliged  to  resign  the  position,  in  conse 
quence  of  ill-health  ;  and  my  next  friend  and  fellow-captive^ 
Major  William  Russell,  Jun.,  was  invited  to  take  his  place. 
He  accompanied  me  for  five  or  six  days,  when  he,  too,  suc 
cumbed  to  a  cold,  and  fell  ill.  My  next  invitation  was  to  Col. 


40 

Tilden,  "but,  owing  to  the  duties  of  his  position,  he  declined  in 
"favor  of  Capt.  Atwood,  who  formed  the  fourth  in  our  mess. 
By  no  means  avaricious  of  this  man's  society,  I  only  yielded  at 
Tilden's  earnest  request,  and  in  order  to  avoid  a  personal  ill- 
feeling.  At  the  end  of  ten  days,  however,  fortune  favored  me, 
and  I  was  enabled  to  rid  myself  of  his  companionship,  under 
the  plea  of  a  desire  to  afford  as  many  as  possible  the  oppor 
tunity  of  visiting  their  commands  and,  in  some  cases,  their  im 
mediate  relations.  Capt.  Wentworth,  I  think,  was  my  next 
companion,  and  each  day  thereafter  'I  selected  a  different 
•person, giving  the  preference  to  those  having  the  largest  num 
ber  of  their  command  confined  there  ;  and,  in  doing  this,  it 
will  be  observed  that  I  treated  my  friends  and  foes  alike — 
many  gentlemen  accompanying  me  for  the  express  purpose 
of  ivatcldng  my  actions  and  noting  my  conduct.  Of  this,  of 
course,  I  was  at  the  moment  entirely  ignorant  •  but,  even  had 
I  known  it,  so  conscious  was  I  of  having  nothing  to  conceal, 
that  I  sincerely  affirm  that  in  no  jot  or  title  would  I  have  al 
tered  my  demeanor  to  man  or  officer,  friend  or  foe. 

A  very  brief  experience  disclosed  to  me  the  almost  utter 
demoralization  existing  in  that  encampment,  of  which  .a  gang 
of  robbers  and  murderers,  who  had  joined  the  army  to  ob 
tain  the  immense  bounties  paid  by  cities,  States,  and  Govern 
ment,  (better  known  as  "bounty-jumpers,")  had  the  entire 
control.  Every  squad  that  presented  itself  before  me  brought 
numerous  victims  of  their  villainous  practices.  Old  men  and 
young,  the  strong  and  the  weak,  the  healthy  and  the  sick  were 
alike  the  sufferers.  No  place  was  sacred  and  no  refuge  secure, 
and  day  and  night  were  equally  auspicious.  Money,  clothing, 
•or  subsistence,  in  turn,  tempted  them  •  and  it  mattered  little, 
whether  it  was  the  last  dollar  or  the  last  crust,  if  opportunity 
offered  or  time  served  for  their  nefarious  purposes  :  so  horrid 
were  the  details  and  so  numerous  the  complaints,  that  I  was 
sickened  and  bewildered.  Yielding  easily,  at  first,  to  the  dic 
tates  of  pity,  I  replaced  without  much  questioning  the  miss 
ing  and  needed  articles,  of  which  they  had  been  so  wrongfully 
despoiled  •  but  my  suspicions  having  been  at  length  aroused 
foy  some  suspicious  circumstances ";  and,  learning,  upon  closer 


41 

scrutiny,  that  I  had  been  imposed  upon  by  some  of  the  very 
worst  raiders  themselves,  I  became  doubtful  and  distrusting, 
and  demanded  clearer  proof  and  corroborating  testimony. 

Very  much  disgusted  and  shocked  at  the  cy|duct  of  these 
scoundrels,  who  robbed  and  even  murderecrWo  obtain  any 
article  possessing  merchantable  value  in  the  eyes  of  the  Rebel 
guards,  who  cared  little  if  the  article  presented  to  them  was 
slightly  stained  with  the  blood  of  its  last  owner,  provided  he 
were  a  Yankee,  I  appealed  to  Lieut.  Bossieux  to  institute 
some  measures  by  which  this  horrid  series  of  crimes  could  be 
abated ;  but  he  very  soon  convinced  me  that  the  remedy  was 
only  in  the  hands  of  the  men  themselves.  All  he  could  do, 
with  his  limited  guards,  was  to  prevent  escape,  and  keep  the 
hostile  masses  under  apparent  control.  Any  internal  regula 
tions,  other  than  policing  the  camp,  were  beyond  the  scope  of 
his  duty  •  and  it  did  not  require  much  sagacity  on  my  part  to 
discover  that  a  little  demoralization,  more  or  less,  among  the 
troops  of  the  enemy,  was  not  considered  a  cause  of  many 
tears  to  him  or  his  superiors. 

By  no  means  pleased  with  this  discovery,  and  greatly  hu 
miliated  by  this  gross  misconduct  of  men  engaged  in  a  cause 
almost  as  sacred  as  religion,  I  racked  my  brains  to  devise 
some  efficacious  means  to  mitigate  the  evil,  if  not  remove  it 
altogether.  Complaints,  advice,  and  persuasion,  producing 
no  effect,  I  at  length  tried  reproaches  and  severity,  and  any 
able-bodied  man  coming  to  me  with  his  tale  of  oppression  and 
woe,  proceeding  from  his  own  comrades,  was  promised  a 
petticoat  or  a  woolen  shift,  in  lieu  of  the  blanket,  or  over 
coat  he  had  so  pusillanimously  defended.  This  at  length 
touched  a  responsive  chord,  and  I  was  approached  by  a  small 
and  select  number,  who  respectfully  represented  that  they 
did  not  like  to  be  told  they  were  old  ivomen,  and  coivards;  and 
asked  that  I  would  suggest  some  plan  by  which,  while  pro 
tecting  themselves,  they  would  convince  me,  and  their  ene 
mies,  that  they  were  not  only  men,  but  brave  ones  too.  De 
lighted  at  this  exhibition  of  pluck  and  wounded  pride,  I  im 
mediately  gave  them  the  necessary  instructions  for  organizing 
-a  special  police  for  the  protection  of  themselves  and  fellow- 


42 

prisoners,  and  the  detection  and  punishment  of  the  guilty. 
In  less  than  twenty-four  hours  two  of  the  most  vicious  of  the 
band  of  ruffians  were  brought  before  me,  having  been  caught 
in  the  very  act.  Having  obtained  permission  of  Lieut.  Bos- 
sieux  to  inflict  a  limited  punishment,  I  ordered  them 
to  be  bucked — the  extent  of  my  power — and  placed  them  in 
such  a  position  that  the  whole  camp  could  see  them,  with 
the  word  "  Raider"  conspicuously  posted  on  their  Lback,  in 
forming  them  at  the  same  time,  that  my  greatest  regret  was 
that  I  couldn't  put  the  rope  round  their  necks  instead  of  their 
wrists.  The  next  day  three  men  were  brought  out,  badly 
beaten  in  their  efforts  to  escape,  and  they  also  were  bucked. 
Subsequently  two  others  were  caught  by  the  police  selling  the 
clothing  they  had'  just  drawn  from  me  to  the  Confederate 
guard.  As  this  was  also  the  prolific  source  of  much  annoy 
ance,  and  the  incentive  for  much  dissimulation  arid  fraud,  I 
made  an  example  of  the  culprits  by  bucking  each  of  them  for 
an  hour  ;  and  these  instances  included  every  case  of  punish 
ment  in  which  I  was,  directly  or  indirectly,  interested. 

One  other  incident  occurred  which,  as  it  has  been  made  a 
matter  of  grave  accusation  against  me,  I  will  explain  here.  A 
poor,  dilapidated  wretch  was  brought  before  me  in  a  most  mis- 
erable  state.  All  I  could  learn  from  him  was  that  his  name 
was  Berry,  and  he  belonged  to  one  of  the  regular  regiments — 
the  13th,  I  think.  From  his  manner  and  the  laughter  of  those 
who  surrounded  me,  (both  Federal  and  Confederate,)  I  was 
led  to  believe  him  half-witted,  and  gave  him  all  the  necessary 
clothing  of  which  he  was  deficient.  In  a  few  days  he  again 
presented  himself,  in  a  worse  condition,  if  possible,  than  be 
fore.  Again  I  clothed  him,  charging  him  to  be  more  careful 
of  his  raiment.  A  third  time  he  appeared  before  me,  under 
the  plea  of  having  been  robbed.  Somewhat  annoyed  and  ir 
ritated,  I  was,  nevertheless,  on^the  point  of  issuing  the  order  to 
reclothe  him  when  it  was  intimated  to  me  that  he  was  a  deserter. 
Pausing  in  my  order,  I  asked  him  what  regiment  he  belonged 
to  before  he  enlisted  in  the  regulars.  He  mentioned  a  New- 
York  Volunteer  regiment.  I  then  inquired  if  he  had  been 
mustered  out  of  that  regiment;  his  reply  was,  that  he  had  left 


43 

of  his  own  accord.  I  again  questioned  him  as  to  whether  ho 
had  received  any  bounty  for  joining  the  last  regiment.  After 
some  hesitation,  he  acknowledged  that  he  had  been  paid  some 
thing  for  it.  I  then  charged  him  with  being  a  deserter,  and, 
upon  closely  pressing  him,  he  partially  admitted  it.  Upon 
discovering  that  the  fellow  was  more  knave  than  fool,  and  had 
been  imposing  on  my  sympathies,  I  ordered  him  into  the  en 
closure  and  forbade  him  to  trouble  me  again  under  threats  of 
a  good  kicking.  Two  weeks  elapsed,,  and  hearing  nothing 
more  of  him,  I  dismissed  the  subject  from  my  mind  ;  but,  one 
day,  rumors  of  exchange  being  very  rife,  (700  men  having 
been  sent  off,)  Cols.  Boyd  and  Hunter  became  alarmed  lest 
some  of  the  clothing  should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Rebels; 
and  insisted  that  it  should  be  distributed  at  once,  as  fast  as 
possible.  This  I  opposed,  because  it  interfered  with  the  order 
and  regularity  of  the  issuing  and  opened  the  doors  to  abuses 
and  errors;  besides,  I  could  easily  have  kept  pace  with  any 
delivery  of  prisoners  that  could  have  been  made,  without  step" 
ping  out  of  the  usual  course  ;  but,  being  overruled  and  out 
voted,  Lt.  Col.  Hunter  with  Lt.  Col.  Archer,  who  had  been 
added  to  the  committee  by  Capt.  McRae  Selph,  in  recognition 
of  Col.  Archer's  kindness  to  him  whilst  a  prisoner  in  our 
hands,  were  selected  to  assist  me.  Placing  stands  for  them 
some  little  distance  from  my  own,  we  proceeded  to  issue  over 
coats  and  such  other  articles  as  were  on  hand,  in  a  manner,  to 
my  mind,  savoring  of  the  reckless.  During  this  operation,  and 
whilst  awaiting  the  arrival  of  another  squad,  (having  a  few 
minutes  to  spare,)  I  sauntered  around  to  see  how  my  colleagues 
were  progressing,  and  also  to  ascertain  if  any  of  those  against 
whom  I  had  made  a  black  mark  were  taking  advantage  of  the 
new  comers.  As  I  suspected,  some  of  them  were  on  hand; 
but,  on  seeing  me  approach,  they  slunk  away  into  the  enclo 
sure.  One,  alone,  remained — and  he  was  the  persistent  Berry,, 
who  was  standing  with  his  back  towards  me,  earnestly  plead 
ing  with  Col.  Archer  for  various  articles  which  he  alleged  had 
never  been  furnished  him.  Without  giving  the  Colonel  time 
to  reply,  I  turned  him  around ;  and,  confronting  him,  asked 
him  what  he  wanted.  Although  somewhat  taken  aback,  ho 


44 

immediately  commenced,  in  a  whining  tone,  his  well-conned 
tale — that  he  wanted  this,  and  he  wanted  that.  "  I'll  tell  you 
what  you  want,"  said  I,  taking  him  by  the  collar — "  You  want 
what  I  promised  you ;  and  now  you  shall  have  it."  With  that 
I  pushed  him  ahead  of  me,  and  kicked  him  as  I  walked — each 
foot,  alternately — three  times  in  all.  I  then  took  him  to  the 
gate  and,  putting  him  through  it,  ordered  him  not  to  come  out 
again  without  my  permission.  Three  officers  were  present  on ' 
this  occasion,  of  whom,  however,  I  can  recall  by  name  but  two; 
and,  as  it  occurred  some  distance  from  my  own  stand,  none  of 
those  accustomed  to  surround  me  were  cognizant  of  it. 

Some  few  weeks  subsequent,!  was  informed  by  Lt.  Bossieux 
that  he  had  found  a  poor  fellow  complaining  bitterly  during 
the  night  of  having  been  kicked  out  of  his  quarters  by  his 
comrades,  on  account  of  his  filthy  and  lousy  condition.  Tak 
ing  him  out  of  the  camp,  he  sent  him  down  to  the  Fiver,  had 
h-im  washed  from  head  to  foot;  and,  opening  the  boxes,  (which 
were  under  a  guard  selected  by  myself  of  our  own  men,)  gave 
Mm  every  article  of  clothing  afresh.  Unable  to  name  the  man 
he  sent  for  him,  and  placed  before  me  the  irrepressible  Berry  ! 
Having  heard  that  my  enemies  in  the  prison  had  made  capital 
against  me,  in  consequence  of  my  treatment  of  this  man,  I 
seized  the  opportunity  of  making  him  state  in  presence  of  Col. 
McCreery  and  Col.  LeFavour  (who,  I  am  under  the  impres 
sion,  accompanied  me  that  day)  his  whole  history;  from  which 
we  learned  that  he  had  twice  deserted,  each  time  after  re 
ceiving  a  bounty  from  Volunteer  regiments,  and  had  finally 
brought  up  among  the  "Regulars."  I  asked  him  if  he  recol 
lected  me  ;  he  said,  "  Yes."  "  What  did  I  do  to  you  ?"  "  You 
kicked  me."  "  Did  I  hurt  you  ?"  "  Oh.  no  !"  replied  he, 
laughingly.  "  You  can  kick  me  twice  as  hard  every  day,  if 
you  will  only  double  my  rations  !" 

Satisfied  that  I  had  not  wounded  either  his  person  or  his 
honor,  I  dismissed  him  and  never  afterwards  saw  him.  I  was 
told,  however,  that  he  very  soon  disposed  of  his  new  outfit, 
and  finally  died  from  exposure. 

In  relating  this  incident,  I  have  "  nothing  extenuated,  nor 
set  down  aught  in  malice."  It  is  the  only  event  of  my  impris- 


45, 

onment  I  would  care  to  alter,,  not  because -the  party  punished! 
did  not  deserve  that  and  more, .but  simply  because  it  was  an 
undignified  exhibition  of  temper,  quite  foreign  to  my  nature,, 
and  not  at  all  calculated  to  raise  me  in  the  estimation  of  my 
enemies  or  myself;  and  I  regret  it  the  more  because  it  is  the 
single  stone  on  which  my  calumniators  have  erected  a  huge 
structure  of  cruelty,  inhumanity  and  brutality. 

As  regards  my  conduct  to  the  men  when  brought  before  me 
in  my  official  capacity,  I  have  neither  regret  nor  excuse  to 
offer.  When  I  first  came  in  contact  with  them  I  found  many 
of  them  in  an  almost  semi-barbarous  state,  lost  to  all  discipline,, 
subordination,  and  self-respect  •  and,  as  a  consequence,  unwill 
ing  or  unable  to  estimate  properly  the  favor  conferred  upon 
them  by  an  ever-watchful  Government.  The  most  lawless  and' 
demoralized  among  them  looked  upon  me  as  the  only  obstacle 
between  them  and  the  entire  gratification  of  their  desire  to 
steal,  plunder,  and  murder.  Muscle  and  self-will  were  the 
only  guides  and  limit  they  recognized,  and  when  they  met,  in 
me,  a  check  to  their  lawlessness  and  crime,  they  turned  upon 
me  with  insolent  defiance,  or  aggressive  abuse.  To  the  offi 
cials  of  our  common  enemy  who  surrounded  me,  regarding  all 
my  movements  with  curiosity,  and  witnessing  my  humiliation 
with  ill-concealed  merriment,  these  exhibitions  were  of  the 
most  gratifying  character,  giving  them,  as  it  did,  such  an  ex 
cellent  and  telling  text  for  drawing  comparisons. 

Unaccustomed  to  this  flagrant  disrespect,  and  stung  to  the 
quick  by  the  sneers  and  impertinent  sympathy  of  my  foes,  I 
determined  to  effect,  if  possible,  a  sudden  and  salutary  change. 
As  has  been  already  stated,  my  issues  were  made  from  rolls 
carefully  prepared  previously.  Each  squad  was  called  out 
separately,  aud  the  Sergeant  in  charge  standing  near  me  veri 
fied  the  man  as  he  answered  to  his  name.  Having  decided 
upon  the  course  to  pursue,  I  placed  a  strip  of  board  about  ten 
feet  from  my  own  stand,  so  as  to  enable  me  to  scrutinize  and 
examine  the  applicant,  and  as  the  squad  was  drawn  up  before 
me  in  line,  I  called  the  Sergeant  aside  and  directed  him  to 
bring  up  each  man,  as  his  name  was  called,  to  that  mark  in  a 
aoldierly  and  respectful  manner,  with  their  hands  out  of  their 


46 

pockets  ;  and  particularly  cautioned  him  to  forbid  them  asking 
me  questions  until  they  had  answered  mine.  Although  I  had  a 
perfect  right  to  expect  and  demand  that  each  man  as  he  present 
ed  himself  before  me,  should  make  the  customary  salute,  I  did 
not  exact  it  for  two  reasons.  First,  because  it  would  have  ne 
cessitated  a  return  of  the  compliment  thus  offered,  which 
would  have  rather  taxed  my  endurance,  and  second,  because 
many,  if  not  a  majority,  of  both  officers  and  privates,  partic 
ularly  the  former,  would  have  considered  rne  a  martinet,  and 
deemed  me  over-fastidious.  As  it  was,  many  of  the  Sergeants 
added  this  item  to  the  other  requirements,  and  many  well-dis 
ciplined  soldiers  accorded  it  without  prompting.  Another  of 
my  regulations  was,  that  loud  talking,  bickering  and  profanity, 
would  not  be  permitted  in  the  ranks,  and  when  it  did  occur,  I 
have  sent  the  offenders  into  the  encampment  for  the  day.  If, 
in  spite  of  the  example  constantly  exhibited,  and  the  caution 
invariably  given,  some  obstinate  or  careless  disciple,  ignoring 
all  precepts  and  suggestions,  would  present  himself  with  segar 
in  mouth,  or  hands  in  pocket,  I  unhesitatingly  and  authorita 
tively  called  his  attention  to  the  fact,  and  punished  insolence 
of  manner  as  summarily  as  if  expressed  more  audibly. 

That  I  was  correct  in  the  course  I  pursued,  will  not  be  de 
nied,  I  think,  by  any  but  a  political  trickster.  "  Courtesy 
among  military  men  is  indispensable  to  discipline,"  and  there 
are  no  lack  of  examples  to  show  that  an  officer  who  does  not 
respect  himself  and  the  rank  lie  holds,  will  not  command  the 
respect  or  obtain  the  obedience  of  those  beneath  him. 
Placed  as  I  was  in  an  enemy's  country  and  prison  ;  charged 
with  the  care  and  protection  of  a  large  amount  of  property 
belonging  to  my  own  Government  ;  surrounded  every  instant 
by  unfriendly  and  inimical  critics,  ever  ready  to  perceive  and 
comment  upon  every  dereliction  from  well-established  princi 
ples  of  military  discipline  ;  without  the  ability  to  enforce  my 
orders  save  through  the  courtesy  of  a  deadly  foe,  and  having 
to  deal  with  a  band  of  men,  some  of  them  wholly  lost  to  obe 
dience  or  self-respect,  I  found  my  position  anything  but  a  sin 
ecure,  and  my  path  beset  by  everything  but  roses.  With  cer 
tain  ideas  of  military  etiquette,  routine  and  subordination. 


47 

Implanted  in  my  mind  by  long  association  with  such  officers 
as  Irvin  McDowell,  Joseph  Hooker,  George  G.  Meade,  John 
F.  Reynolds,  John  Newton,  and  others  of  like  character.;  and 
engaged  in  a  profession  which  had,  from  my  earliest  youth 
possessed  my  deepest  veneration,  I  felt  all  my  responsibilities, 
and  was  thoroughly  cognizant  of  all  my  rights.  Even  had  I 
been  ignorant  of  the  latter,  the  open  enjoyment,  on  the  part 
of  our  enemies,  at  every  display  of  insolence,  disrespect  and 
pretended  stupidity  of  my  fellow-soldiers,  would  have  opened 
the  eyes  of  the  most  stolid  ;  whilst  the  half-concealed  glances 
of  approval  wrung  from  them,  as  .soldier  after  soldier  appeared, 
each  striving  to  excel  his  fellow  in  military  smartness  and 
disciplined  respect,  betrayed  their  recognition  of  our  soldierly 
qualities,  creating  in  the  heart  of  every  true  man  a  glow  of 
exultation  and  triumph  :  at  least  it  had  that  effect  on  me  ; 
and  the  compliments  frequently  paid  by  some  of  the  best  of 
the  rebel  officers  stationed  or  visiting  that  post,  elicited  by 
the  really  excellent  appearance  of  many  of  our  men — Com 
missary  as  I  loas — greatly  elated  me.  Proud  of  my  connec 
tion  with  the  splendid  Army  of  the  Potomac,  I  felt  more  than 
usual  gratification  when  my  comrades  in  that  organization  ex 
hibited  their  truly  martial  excellence  in  appearance  and  dis 
cipline  ;  and  although  my  sympathies  were  most  moved  in 
behalf  of  those  true  patriots,  undisciplined  as  they  were,  from 
the  Border  States,  expecially  those  from  East  Tennessee,  I 
own  that  a  respectful  request  sometimes  extorted  from  me  the 
coveted  garment,  when  perhaps  a  less  military  bearing  would 
have  failed  in  impressing  me  with  the  necessity.  I  do  love  a 
good  soldier,  and  have  travelled  many  a  mile  to  witness  a 
superior  drill. 

In  my  intercourse  with  the  men,  apart  from  my  official  du 
ties,  I  endeavored  to  be  as  kind  to  them  as  my  disposition 
would  permit,  and  I  have  the  heartfelt  consciousness  of  hav 
ing,  in  my  humble  way,  and  with  my  limited  means,  been 
able  to  do  them  many  acts  of  disinterested  kindness,  the  rela 
tion  of  which  would  ill  befit  me  to  undertake. 

With  one  other  incident  in  my  prison  life,  I  hope  to  con 
clude  this  eventful  history,  already  too  '  -.5  drawn  out. 


48 

Having  had  a  personal  difficulty  with  a  Junior  officer,  some  of 
his  friends,  joining  forces  with  my  well-known  enemies,  called 
a  meeting  during  my  absence  from  prison,  which,  although  no, 
such  object  was  stated  in  the  call,  soon  proved  to  be  for  the 
purpose  of  denouncing  me.  Unprepared  for  any  such  demon 
stration,  many  gentlemen,  on  hearing  the  resolutions,  in 
which  grave  charges  were  preferred  against  me,  demand 
ed  from  the  instigators  and  wire-pullers  of  the  convoca 
tion,  proofs  of  the  allegations  therein  made  ;  and  as  these  were 
not  forthcoming,  they  incontinently  voted  the  whole  thing 
down  by  an  overwhelming  majority,  and  adjourned  the  meet 
ing  sine  die.  On  my  return  to  the  prison,  late  in  the  after 
noon,  I  was  the  recipient  of  an  improvised  ovation,  which  com 
pletely  mystified  me,  as  many  of  the  participants  had  always, 
been  regarded  by  me  as  unfriendly.  On  reaching  my  quar 
ters,  however,  I  was  enlightened  as  to  the  cause  of  my  sudden 
popularity,  and  was  regaled  for  many  a  day  thereafter  with 
the  recital  of  ihe  fun  provoked  by  this  gathering. 

In  spite  of  the  commendations  of  my  friends,  however,  I 
could  not  but  feel  indignant  at  this  cowardly  attempt  to  in 
jure  me  ;  and,  with  a  view  to  hold  the  parties  to  a  strict  ac 
countability  hereafter,  I  wrote  to  the  master-spirit  of  the  affair 
— a  Capt.  McKee,  from  Kentucky,  asking  in  the  most  court 
eous  terms  a  copy  of  the  Preamble  and  Resolutions  read  by 
him  on  the  occasion.  To  this  he  made  so  equivocating  a  re 
ply  and  exhibited  so  contemptible  a  spirit  that  I  felt  con 
strained  to  brand  him  as  a  slanderer  and  poltroon,  and  there 
the  matter  ended  as  far  as  he  was  concerned.  A  day  or  two 
afterwards,  Col.  Powell,  (now  Brigadier-General,)  availing  him' 
self  of  remarks  made  by  me  publicly — that  I  would  answer 
any  question  in  reference  to  my  conduct,  in  or  out  of  the 
prison  respectfully  presented  to  me — called  at  my  quarters  and, 
after  a  conference  of  nearly  three  hours  in  duration,  thanked 
me  for  my  frankness  and  openly  avowed  his  complete  satisfac 
tion  with  my  explanations.  Anxious  to  give  as  many  officers 
as  desired  it  an  opportunity  to  converse  freely  with  the  men 
on  the  Island,  I  asked  and  obtained  permission  from  Major 
Turner  to  take  with  me,  dailv,  two  officers,  instead  of  one  ;  and 


49 

j  ' . .  ••!•'!  :  -/•'.','•'  ;j ':  .^         '  •   i ' 

thus  I  repaid  the  malice  of  my  enemies,  who  crushed  and  de 
feated  in  every  movement,  allowed  me  to  remain  quiet  during 
the  rest  of  my  imprisonment.  Shortly  after  this  event,  the 
time  for  the  completion  of  Col.  Rose's  tunnel  approaching,  I 
was  called  upon  by  Major  McDanald,  of  the  101st  Ohio,  who, 
after  introducing  himself,  being  a  perfect  stranger  to  me, 
Basked  if  I  had  not  publicly  stated  that  I  would  lend  money  to 
^ny  officer  proposing  to  make  his  escape.  This  I  affirmed, 
"with  the  explanation,  that,  at  the  time  specified  I  had  more 
jneans  at  my  command,  and  desired  to  effect  a  certain  result, 
"viz  :  conveying  intelligence  to  my  government  of  the  rein 
forcement  of  Bragg's  army  by  Longstreet.  '  At  the  moment 
then  in  question  I  was  not  so  well  stocked  with  money,  and 
-declined  especially  robbing  myself  for  the  purpose  of  gorging 
the  guard,  as  Streight  and  Ely  had  done  with  such  marked 
results — the  latter  having  paid  a  hundred  dollars  (greenbacks) 
for  the  pleasure  of  "  climbing  down"  a  rope,  and  ten  dollars 
for  the  privilege  of  climbing  up  again  !  Disclaiming  any  such 
intention,  and  satisfying  me  that  the  mode  of  exit  was  practi 
cable  and  novel,  I  promised  to  raise  a  certain  sum,  which  he 
•could  rely  upon.  A  day  or  two  after,  Major  Henry,  of  the 
5th  Ohio  Cavalry,  and  one  of  the  speakers  at  the  first  meet 
ing  against  me,  also  approached  me  on  the  same  errand,  witli 
the  same  result,  and  finally  Lt.  W.  F.  Randolph,  a  Regular 
officer,  to  whom  I  gave  my  last  dollar.  Of  these  gentlemen, 
two  were  fortunate  enough  to  succeed  in  their  attempts,  whilst 
the  third,  Major  Henry,  was  unluckily  recaptured.  Others 
applied  to  me  for  funds  for  the  same  purpose,  but  having  ex 
hausted  my  stock,  I  had  recourse  to  my  store  of  luxuries  and 
provisions,  and  even  necessaries,  among  'which  I  number  a 
.hatchet  and  a  bottle  of  excellent  brandy,  both  of  which,  as  I 
afterwards  learned,  were  of  incalculable  value. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  March  I  was  sent  to  the 
office,  and  ordered  to  get  ready  to  leave  for — home.  In  two 
hours  I  was  to  be  ever  more' a  free  man.  So  unexpected,  and 
so  startling  the  news;  so  varied  and  so  numerous  the  hopes 
and  expectations  that,  for  a  few  moments,  I  was  unable  to  ex 
press  my  feelings,  and  was  only  reminded  of  my  personality 


50 

by  the  Major  humorously  asking  me  "  if  I  was  sorry  to  leave 
him  ?"  The  warmth  of  my  reply  was  more  'amusing-  than  Com 
plimentary,  and:  after  receiving  his  congratulations  I  returned 
to  my  quarters  to  announce  the  glad  tidings.  Overwhelmed 
with  joy  every  trace  of  bitterness  faded  from  my  heart,  and' 
there  was  not  a  man.  hi  that  building,  including  Atwood,  Mc- 
Kee,  et  id  omne  genus,,  that  I  would  not  gladly  have  shaken 
hands  with,  and  forgiven  every  injury,  in  all  sincerity.  On 
every  side  I  met  pleasant  faces  and  hearty  congratulations, 
each  one  hoping  his  turn  would  come  next,  and  had  I  been  pos 
sessed  of  a  million  instead  of  the  few  dollars  I  had  obtained,  I 
would  cheerfully  have  dispensed  it  all.  As  it  was,  everything' 
of  the  slightest  value  not  absolutely  indispensable  to  my  com 
fort,  from  a  suit  of  clothes  to  a  soda  cracker,  was  distributed 
among  my  friends  and  messmates  ;  and  passing  through  the 
lines  of  comrades  drawn  up  to  bid  me  "  God-speed,"'  I  found 
both  hands  inadequate  to  the  task  of  giving  "  a  last  shake." 
With  nothing  but  a  haversack,  and  that  but  meagrely  fitted,  I 
experienced  but  little  delay  in  passing  my  examinations,  and 
emerged  among  the  first  into  the  free  air.  On  our  way 
down  the  river  on  the  contemptible  little  craft  furnished  by 
the  Confederacy,  whilst  intoxicated  with  joy,  mingled  with  re 
gret  that  there  were  not  more  with  us,  I  was  startled  from  my 
delicious  dreamings  by  hearing  that  my  intense  and  unscrupu 
lous  enemy  Atwood,  had  been  left  behind. — and,  more  start 
ling  still, — was  told  that  he  had  charged  me  with  being  the 
cause  of  it — as  if  anything  but  a  snake  could  hold  venom  at 
such  a  moment.  Unconscious  as  I  was,  up  to  that  instant, 
that  he  was  not  on  board, — our  party  having  been  separated 
on,  reaching  the  vessel, — I  could  hardly  believe  my  own  ears,  as 

I  was  confident  I  had  seen  him  all  ready  to  be  examined  just 

>/  j 

as  I  stepped  from  the  hall.  Somewhat  dampened  in  my  exu 
berance  by  this  ill-timed  slander,  I  was  proportionately  re 
joiced  to  hear  from  Capt.  Cockman  and  Capt  Johnson  the 
true  verson  of  his  return — they  being  selected  by  the  Sur 
geon  of  the  hospital,  owing  to  their  sickness,  in  place  of  At 
wood  and  my  old  friend  Douglass,  whose  names  happening  to 
be.  at  the  head  of  the  list  of  Captains,  were  stricken  off  by 


51 

Major  Turner  himself,  at  the  last  moment.  One  week  after 
wards  they  were  both  released,  and  I  only  mention  the  cir 
cumstance  to  show  the  fiendish  spirit  of  this  cowardly  crea 
ture,  who  fastened  with  devilish  hate  on  every  incident  that 
could,  by  misrepresentation  or  downright  falsification,  be  laid 
to  my  account. 

On  reaching  Washington,  I  was  still  more  disagreeably  sur 
prised  to  hear  from  Gen.  Meade  that  charges  seriously  reflect 
ing  on  my  honor  and  loyalty  had  been  made,  by  Col.  Streight 
and  others,  to  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  War,  who  was  ex 
ceedingly  angered  at  me  in  consequence.  Repairing  imme 
diately  to  the  War  Department,  I  saw  Gen.  Canby,  who  as 
sured  me  that  he  had  no  knowledge  of  such  charges.  I  then 
called  on  Major-Gen.  Hitchcock,  and  after  two  hours'  conver 
sation  with  him  on  other  subjects,  learned  also  from  him  that 
nothing  of  the  kind  had  been  brought  to  his  notice.  Con 
vinced  that  there  must  be  some  error  in  the  matter,  I  was  on 
the  point  of  leaving  for  home  when  I  received  a  note  from  CoL 
Hoffman,  Commissary-General  of  Prisoners,  requesting  me  to* 
call  at  his  office.  I  did  so,  and  was  informed  that  I  must  con 
sider  myself  under  arrest,  and  remain  in  my  hotel  until  the 
matter  could  be  investigated.  On  the  next  day,  my  friend 
Gen.  Wadsworth,  indignant  at  the  treatment  imposed  upon 
me,  called  on  Mr.  Stanton,  and  in  the  most  energetic  manner 
protested  against  it.  The  day  following,  I  wrote  to  Mr.  Stan- 
ton,  requesting  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  and  claiming  the  right  to 
be  considered  and  treated  as  an  innocent  man  until  tried  and 
proven  otherwise.  To  this  the  only  answer  was  an  order  re 
leasing  me  from  arrest,  and  permitting  me  to  visit  my  family 
and  home,  which  I  was  not  to  leave  until  so  directed,  holding* 
myself  ready  to  meet  any  charges  that  might  be  brought 
against  me  by  any  officer,  a  fellow  prisoner  of  war  with  me  in 
Richmond.  Two  months  had  nearly  elapsed,  when,  finding 
myself  exchanged,  I  wrrote  to  the  Adjutant-General  again,  re 
questing  an  immediate  trial,  or  assignment  to  duty.  To  this 
the  only  reply  was  a  summary  dismissal  from  the  service,  no 
tice  of  which  was  received  through  the  public  papers.  I  inx- 
mediately  repaired  to  Washington,,  and  endeavored  to  see  thet 


52 

President.  Failing  in  this,  owing  to  the  pressure  of  public 
lousiness,  I  returned  home,  and  in  October  again  visited  the 
Capitol.  Where  I  remained  until  I  effected  my  object,  by  being 
ordered  to  appear  before  your  honorable  Commission,  where 
I  learned  for  the  first  time  the  nature  of  the  charges  and  the 
names  of  my  accusers. 

THE  DEFENCE. 

Such,  upon  my  honor  as  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier,  is  the 
honest  record  of  my  experiences  as  a  prisoner  of  War.  '  Let 
me  now  attempt  a  brief  examination  of  the  charges  against 
me. 

And,  first,  a  word  or  two  as  to  my  accusers.  Why  are  Gen. 
Dow  and  Corporal  Taylor  thus  arraigned  against  me? 

It  is  hard  for  one  so  falsely  and  treacherously  assailed  as  I 
have  b-een  by  these  men,  to  restrain  his  honest  indignation  ; 
but  I  shall  abstain  from  all  invective,  and  respectfully  refer 
your  Honorable  Commission  to  the  evidence  'as  to  the  motives 
which  rlave  marie  these  persons  my  bitter  enemies. 

Gen.  Dow  sufficiently  discloses  the  cause  of  his  animosity1 
to  me  in  his  own  letter.  He  states  :  "After  my  protest  to  Gen.' 
Winder  against  the  cruel  treatment  of  my  soldiers  at  Belle 
Isle.  I  was  not' permitted  to  visit  them  any  more,  and  the  busi 
ness  of  distributing  the  clothing  to  the  soldiers— all  of  which 
-was  sent  to  nie---was  put  into  his  hands."  And  again,  "  The 
U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission  sent  a  great  quantity  of  supplies 
to  me  for  distribution,  but  the  Rebels  put  them  into  the  hands 
of  Col.  SANDERSON." 

The  General  here  makes  two  positive  iriisstateiiierits  ;  for  it 
is  not  true  that  the  Sanitary  supplies  were  ever  placed  in  my 
hands  for  distribution,  or  that  I  had'  at  any  time  '&  'personal 
control  over ' them  ;  nor  did  I  immediately  succeed  hrni  iii  the 
business  of  distributing  the  U.  S.  clothing  as  he  implies  In  his 
letter,  as  it  is  clearly  and  indisputably  shown  that  other  officers 
took  his  place  and  had  charge  for  weeks  before  I  was  appointed^ 
But,  aside  from  these  miB's'tatemeiits,  we  reach  the  cause  of  his 
choler. 


53 

To  bo  ousted  from  his  high  position  by  Rebel  authority;  SUT 
perseded  by  officers  of  inferior  rank,  and  the  great  Honors  he 
so  ostentatiously  flaunted,  thus  suddenly  stripped  from  him, 
were  ample  causes  for  any  display  of  venom,  and  sufficient  to 
embitter  him  against  any  successor,  but  especially  one  whq> 
had  dared  to  speak  lightly  of  his  ability,  and  .objected  to  hi$ 
companionship.  It  is.i*:ot  so  stated  in  the  testimony  presented 
because  I  deemed  it  almost  too  puerile  to  mention  in. my. 
queries  to  the  parties  cognizant  of  the  fact,  but  I  can  perso? 
nally  relate  another  and  a  secret  motive  for  this  gentleman's 
antagonism  to  me,  which,  although  of  the  pettiest  nature,  is 
strongly  characteristic  of  my  foe.  After  the.  incident  referred 
to  on  page  -  -  of  my  narrative,  an  officer  whose  name  has 
passed  from  my  memory,  approached  Col.  Tilden  and  myself 
and  stated  that  General  Neal  Dow  was  daily  expected  to  ar 
rive  from  Mobile,  and  that  he  would  then  be  the  ranking  offi 
cer,  and  as  ive  had  the  lest  mess  in  the  prison,  he  suggested  the- 
propriety  of  inviting  him  to  join  us.  To  this  I  quickly  ob 
jected  on  the  ground  ''that  Neal  Dow,  in  my  opinion,  was 
neither  a  soldier  nor  a  gentleman  ;  and  for  my  part  I  declined 
all  association  or  companionship  with  him,  especially  as  his 
rank  would  seemingly  entitle  him  to  immunity  from  cooking 
and  cleaning,  and  I  did'nt  care  to  do  the  dirty  work  of  any 
man  be  his  rank  never  so  high."  Laboring  under  the  disad 
vantage  of  placing  before  you  only  just  such  testimony  as  my 
comrades  may  choose  to  furnish,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to 
prove  that  this  remark  ever  came  to  his  ears  ;  but,  were  I 
permitted  to  examine  certain  gentlemen  under  oath,  among 
them  General  Dow  himself,  I  entertain  but  little  doubt  of  my 
ability  to  substantiate  my  statement.  At  all  events,  as  he 
says,  and  I  concur  in,  "  there  was  no  intercourse  between  us, 
although  our  quarters  were  close  together." 

As  to  the  causes  of  General  Dow's  removal  by  the  ?Confed- 
erates,  I  do  not  propose  to  examine  or  criticise  them.  Every 
officer  that  visited  the  Island,  unite  in  branding  the  treatment 
of  our  men  as  brutal,  inhuman  and  savage,  and  no  one  felt 
that  more  keenly  than  I  did  ;  but  that  it  was  politic  or  wise 
so  to  characterize  the  conduct  of  our  jailors  in  a  paper  evi- 


54 

•dently  intended  to  produce  an  amelioration  of  that  treatment, 
is  at  least  debatable.  Having  no  shortcomings  to  gloss  over, 
no  suspicious  circumstances  to  obscure,  and  no  political  aspira 
tions  to  nurture.  I  did  not  deem  it  necessary  to  couch  my  re 
quests  in  threatening  terms,  nor  ventilate  my  patriotism  in 
the  "  spread  eagle"  fashion.  When  I  asked  a  favor  for  my 
•suffering  comrades.  I  plead  for  it  with  tears  in  my  eyes,  and 
•when  I  protested,  as  my  fellow-officers  have  testified,  I  did 
it  in  a  manly  and  frank  manner.  That  mine  was  the  better 
-method  is  evidenced  by  the  statement  of  the  men  who  swear 
"that  after  my  visits  to  the  Island  ceased,  their  ration  was 
ircduced. 

The  enmity  of  Corporal  Taylor  is  of  a  more  legitimate  cliar- 
'ncter,  and  is  based  on  recognized  grounds.  Acting  for  a  time 
as  an  issuing  Clerk  he  was  detected  in  the  act  of  appropriating 
certain  articles  of  clothing  without  permission,  and  punished 
by  a  return  to  the  encampment,  and  the  refusal  on  my  part  to 
allow  him  to  draw  anything  from  the  general  stock.  Of  course 
this  enraged  him. 

"  No  thif  f  e'er  felt  the  halter  draw. 
With  good  opinion  of  the  law!" 

and  doubtless  Mr.  Corporal  Taylor  feels  that  he  is  a  much  ag 
grieved  individual,  and  will  spare  no  effort  to  impress  me  with 
the  fact,  urging  at  the  moment,  if  I  recollect  aright,  that  he 
wanted  the  articles,  and  didn't  consider  it  stealing  to  take 
them.  I  dissented,  hence  his  woe. 

So  much  for  the  animus  ;  let  us  now  examine  the  nature  of 
their  charges. 

And  at  this  point,  let  me  call  the  .attention  of  your  Honora 
ble  Commission  to  the  ingenious  and  artfully  worded  letter  of 
General. Dow.  The  writer  asserts  nothing,  as  of  his  awn  knowl 
edge,  but  expresses  his  convictions  and  his  thoughts,  throwing 
upon  otlter  shoulders  the  burden  of  this  most  foul  accusation. 
To  crush  and  ruin  a  brother  officer,  he  weaves  a  cunningly  de 
vised  tissue  of  vague  charges  upon  hearsay  testimony.  The 
evidence,  as  it  stands,  seems  insufficient  to  convict  of  the 
smallest  offence  ;.  how  much  less  to  condemn  me  to  a  future 
of  .shame. worse  than  death  itself. : 


55 


. 

But  I  desire  to  take  no  exception,  even  to  this  hearsay  tes 
timony, 

"  What  I  did,  I  did  in  honor, 
Led  by  the  impartial  conduct  of  my  soul  ; 
And  never  shall  you  see  that  I  will  beg 
If  truth  and  upright  innocency  fail  me.'' 

Fortunately  for  me,  the  abundant  and  overwhelming  testi 
mony,  —  entirely  voluntary,  as  you  know,  —  of  those  of  my  fel  • 
low  prisoners  whom  I  have  been  able  to  reach,  enables  me  to 
dispense  with  any  such  technical  plea.  I  ought  to  add  here 
that  I  have  addressed  over  150  letters  to  my  brother  officers, 
but  many  of  them  being  in  Sherman's  and  Thomas'  armies, 
whilst  others  are  entirely  out  of  the  service,  leaving  no 
•clue  to  their  whereabouts,  their  replies  have  not  yet 
reached  me,  although  in  some  cases,  I  have  written  as 
often  as  three  times  to  different  points.  Should  your  Honora 
ble  Commission,  however,  desire  further  testimony,  or  require 
.'greater  elucidation  of  any  point,  I  would  respectfully  ask  to 
1)0  permitted  to  add  these  statements  as  they  are  received. 

These  charges  which,  as  you  will  observe,  are  made  neither 
on  honor  nor  on  oath,  may  be  placed  under  four  heads,  viz.  :  — 

1st,  Disloyalty. 

2d.  Cruelty  to  Federal  Prisoners. 

3d.  Misappropriation  of  stores  sent  by  the  Government  or 
3>y  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission. 
4th.  Disclosure  of  a  plot  to  escape. 

1st.  Disloyalty  — 

In  support  of  this  charge,  Gen.  Dow  offers  the  following 
proof:  — 

"•The  conviction  among  the  officers  generally  was,  that  he 
was  disloyal,  had  little  or  no  sympathy  with  our  cause,  but 
.much  for  the.  Rebels.  On  that  point  I  think-  Col.  Streight  is- 
-.particularly  informed.'7 

To  this  charge.  I  respectfully  oppose  the  following  frank  and' 
full  statement  of  my  past  military  career. 

JLt'tho  commencement  of  this  conflict,  I  was  'known  as  ah 


56 

"  Old  Line  Whig/7  very  conservative  in  my  ideas,  and  some 
what  Pro-Slavery  in  my  proclivities.     Holding  a  lucrative  andl 
confidential  position  in  the  New-York  Hotel,  (celebrated  as  the' 
sojourning  place  of  the  Southerners,)  all  my  associations  tended 
to  strengthen  these  sentiments  ;  but,  when  that  "  little  cloud  no 
bigger  than  a  man's  hand'7  appeared  on  the  horizon — when  a , 
minor  section  threatened  the  disruption  of  a  great  Republic — 
and  countless  hordes    arrayed    themselves  against  one  little 
band  of  heroes  in  Fort  Sumpter — my  Southern  sympathy  and 
my  conservative  views  melted  into  thin  air,  and  I  felt  that  the 
time  had  come  for.  every  true  man  to  range  himself  openly 
under  the  banner  of  Freedom  and  Unity,  or  cling  to  Despot 
ism  and  Slavery.     Without  an  instant's  hesitation,  I  made  my 
choice.     At  the  first  call  for  men  and  money,  I  gave  all  of  both; 
at  my  command.     Endorsed  unanimously  by   the  Union  De 
fence  Committee,  aud  other  prominent  citizens  of  my  State,  Ii 
sought  employment  in  the  Subsistence  Department  ;  and  was., 
one  of  four  bidders  for  the  first  batch  of  Treasury  notes,.    At, 
this  moment  my  employer,  hearing  of  my  motions,  ingeniously 
fastened  a  quarrel  on  me  ;  and,  at  one  day's  notice,  dismissed 
me  from  his  establishment.     As  my  connection  with  this  sus 
pected  resort  has  been  quoted  by  those  high  in  authority  to 
my  disadvantage,  I  embody  herewith  certain  publications  re 
lating  thereto. 

On  the,  29th   Ma}T,  1861,  (a  few  days  after  my  dismissal,) 
there  appeared  in  the  New- York  Tribune  the  following  para 
graph  :— 


- "  We  learn  that  Mr.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  who  has  been  for 
several  years  the  Steward  and  purveyor  of  the  New-York 
Hotel,  has  been  dismissed  from  his  place  on  account  of  his. 
Union  sentiments,  and  that  he  intends  doing  for  our  own. 
Army  what  Soyer  did  for  the  British  troops  in  the.  Crimea — 
teach  them  how  to  preserve  their  lives  by  cooking  their  food 
properly.  Mr.  SANDERSON  is  both  a  scientific  and  practical 
cook,  and  comprehends  the  principles  of  the  cuisine  as  well 
perhaps  as  any  man  who  has  written  upon  the  subject,  from 
Yatel  to  Careme.  If  he  were  to  go  upon  a  culinary  campaign. 


57 

among  our  troops,  he  might  render  them  most  important  ser 
vices  by  a  few  simple  practical  directions,  as  Avell  as  be  the 
means  of  saving  some  thousands  of  dollars  to  the  Commissa 
riat.  If  it  be  true  that  beans  kill  more  of  our  men  than  bul 
lets,  a  head  Cook  is  of  more  importance  to  our  Army. than  a 
head  Surgeon.  It  will  be  a  great  blessing  to  the  Country  if 
the  services  of  so  capable  a  man  as  Mr.  SANDERSON  could  be 
secured  for  this  purpose." 

On  the  following  morning  there  appeared,  in  the  same  paper,, 

"A    CARD    FROM   MR.    H.    CRANSTON.'7 

"  To  the  Editor  of  the  Tribune  : 

"  SIR, — I  was  supprised  to  learn  from  your  paper  of  this' 
morning's  issue,  that  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  "  who  has  been  for 
some  years  steward  and  purveyor  of  the  N.  Y,  Hotel,  has  been 
dismissed  from  his  place  on  account  of  his  Union  sentiments." 
I  have  only  to  say  in  answer  to  this  statement,  that  I  have 
had  no  conversation  with  Mr.  SANDERSON  on  the  subject  of 
politics,  and  that  my  reasons  for  dismissing  him  have  nothing 
whatever  to  do  with  his  Union  sentiments,  or  any  other  senti 
ments,  as  Mr.  SANDERSON  well  knows.  The  private  opinions 
of  my  clerks  are  matters  with  which  I  have  neither  the  right 
nor  the  disposition  to  interfere.  It  is  only  necessary  for  them? 
to  perform  their  respective  duties,  as  I  endeavor  to  perform 
mine,  not  only  to  my  guests  but  to  my  employees  and  my 
country  ;  and  I  claim  the  right  to  engage  and  to  discharge 
men  without  being  subjected  to  newspaper  misrepresenta 
tions." 

"HIRAM  CRANSTON, 

"N.  Y.  Hotel,  May  29,1831." 

To  this  I  made  the  subjoined  response  : 

"  A  REPLY  TO   MR.  H.  CRANSTON. 

"  To  the  Editor  of  the  N.  Y.  Tribune  : 

SIR,-— I  did  not  write  the  article  in  your  journal  headed  '  An 
American  Soyer/  nor  see  it  until  after  its  issue,  but,  to  the 
best  of  my  .belief,  it  is  substantially  correct. 

"In  Mr,  Hiram  Cranston's  answer  thereto  he  makes  some 
grave  misstatements.  He  says  that  he  had  had  no  conversa 
tion  with  Mr.  SANDERSON  on  the  subject  of  politics.  He  has 
had  such  a  conversation  within  the  past  two  weeks,  and  as 
bitter  a  discussion  as  our  relative  positions  would  permit.  He 
"  that  he  performs  his  duty  to  his  country."  True,  he 


58 

commits  no   overt  act  of  treason,  for   which  the  wholesome 
dread  of  a  traitor's  doom  may  in  some  degree  account. 

"  As  to  my  making  arrangements  of  a  business  character,- — 
the  implied  cause  in  hie.  note  of  dismissal, — I  do  confess  it. 
Self  respect  would  not  permit  me  to  hold  any  position  under 
Mr.  Cranston,  after  the  expiration  of  the  term  agreed  upon— 
the  1st  of  August  proximo  ;  and  I  do  also  confess  that  I  have 
been,  and  am  still,  endeavoring  to  obtain  an  honorable  posi 
tion  under  that  Government  and  that  flag  which  his  traitor 
ous  confederates  are  striving-  to  subvert  and  trample  upon. 
"  Very  respectfully  yours, 

"  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON. 
""  PIERREPONT  HOUSE,  Brooklyn, 
"  May  30th,  1861." 

This  shot  proving  too  much  for  my  antagonist,  he  aban 
doned  the  public  prints,  and  sought  revenge  by  preferring 
charges  against  me  in  a  Masonic  Lodge,  of  which  we  were 
both  members.  With  my  resolution  unchanged,  and  in  hopes 
that  my  peculiar  speciality  as  a  gastronomist  might  prove  ser- 
vicable  in  preserving  life,  I  repaired  to  the  Capitol,  and,  un 
der  the  auspices  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  sought  to  intro 
duce  a  plan  for  teaching  the  soldiers  how  to  cook  their  ra 
tions.  Unsuccessful  in  my  efforts  to  bring  it  to  the  favorable 
notice  of  the  then  Secretary  of  War,  I  returned  to  New- York, 
and  at  the  request  of  the  principal  members  of  the  Sanitary 
Commission,  visited  Albany,  and  disclosed  my  plan  to  his  Ex 
cellency  E.  P.  Morgan,  then  Governor  of  the  State,  and  his 
>Surgeon-in-Chief.  My  ideas  being  approved  by  the  latter,  I 
was  authorized  by  the  former  to  return  to  Washington,  and 
test,  in  some  of  the  New-York  regiments,  their  practicability. 
"Two  weeks  sufficing  to  prove  this,  I  condensed  as  briefly  as 
possible  the  details  of  my  plan,  and  placed  them  before  the 
leading  Regular  and  Volunteer  officers,  by  whom  they  were 
unanimously  recommended.  With  these  -endorsements,  I 
knocked  loudly  and  persistently  at  the  doors  of  Congress,  but 
as  all  was  in  confusion  and  dismay,  there  as  well  as  elsewhere, 
I  had  my  labor  for  my  pains  •  and  out  of  heart  and  out,. of 
funds,  turned  my  face,  homeward.  Before ,  leaving  the  city, 
laoweyer,  I  applied  .at  the  War  Department  for  the' papers  de- 


89 

posited  there,  advocating  my  appointment  as  coinxmissa-ry.  Q,^ 
learning  my  object,  Mr.  Cameron,  knowing  my  antecedents, 
ordered  my  appointment  to  be  made  out.  On  calling  th,e 
.next  day,  I  was  informed  that  no  vacancy  existed  i,n  the  .cove.tr 
ed  department.  Somewhat  disgusted  at  this  intelligence,  J 
again  started  for  home,  determined  to  take  a  hand  in  the 
iight  even  on  my  own  hook.  On  making  my  intentions  knows 
to  the  Hon.  Henry  Wilson,  he  immediately  offered  me  ,th,e 
position  of  Quartermaster  of  his  new  regiment — the  Twenty- 
second  Massachusetts — then  about  to  be  recruited.  This  I 
instantly  accepted,  and  after  a  brief  sojourn  at  home,  pre 
sented  myself  at  the  city  of  Boston,  ready  for  duty.  Whilst 
there,  I  received  notice  of  my  appointment  as  Commissary, 
but  feeling  some  pride  in  the  organization  to  which  I  had 
been,  though  for  a  short  time,  attached,  I  asked  and  obtain 
ed  permission  to  remain  with  it  until  ready  to  leave  for  the 
front.  On  the  20th  October,  having  comfortably  located  the 
regiment,  in  its  first  camp  on  Hall's  Hill,  Va.,  I  reported  for 
duty  to  the  Subsistence  Department,  and  was  assigned  to  the 
staff  of  the  brave  and  lamented  Wadsworth,  who  had  applied 
for  me  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  my  appointment.  With  him  I 
remained  until  he  wras  transferred  to  the  Military  Governor 
ship  of  the  Defences  of  Washington.  During  that  winter, 
finding  my  official  duties  by  no  means  onerous,  I  filled  up  my 
leisure  time  by  putting  into  form  my  experiences  in  camp 
cooking,  which  I  presented  to  the  Government,  b}'  whqm  it 
was  published  and  distributed  everywhere. 

After  Gen.  Wadsworth's  departure,  I  was  selected  by  Maj. 
Gen.  McDowell,  as  Chief  Commissary  of  the  First  Corps, 
which  position-!  retained  .to  the  day  of  its  disbandment.  In 
July,  18,62,  I  was  promoted,  at. the,  personal  solicitation  of  my 
Commanding  General,  to  the  rank  of  Major  and  Additional 
Aid-de-Camp  ;  and.  in  the  following  January, .was  made  Lieut.. 
Colonel,  at  the  request  of  my  then  Commander,  Major-General 
John  F.  Reynolds.  Although  as  a  Commissary,  strictly  speak 
ing,  I  was, a  non-combatant,  I  Always,  claimed  the  right,  by  vir 
tue  of  my  commission  as  Major -.to  act  as  Aid  on -the  field  of 
battle  5  and  am  proud  to. say  that  I  have  never  been  absent 


60 

from  any  engagement  in  which  my  General  took  part,  and 
never-hesitated  to  go  where,  he  led  or  ordered  me.  In  this 
way  I  participated  in  the  battle  of  Cedar  Mountain,  the  Banks 
of  the  Rappahannock,  and  the  battles  of  Mannassas  and  Sec 
ond  Bull  Run,  under  General  McDowell;  South  Mountain  and 
Antietam,  under  General  Hooker;  Fredericksburg,  Chancel- 
lorsville,  arid  Gettysburg,  under  Generals  'Reynolds  and  New 
ton.  If  Brigadier-General  Neal  Dow  can  present  a  better  rec 
ord  or  show  more  devotion  to  our  cause,  I  am  quite  sure  'Ms 
friends  would  be  pleased  to  see  it;  and,  if  I  have  exhibited  no 
sympathy  with  the  Union  cause,  I  should  be  glad  to  learn  lioio 
it  is  to  be  done.  The  second  specification  of  this  most  irregu 
lar  charge  is  thus  speciously  worded  :— 

"  My  conviction  was  that  Col.  SANDERSON  had  no  sympathy 
with  the  Union  cause.  His  conversation,  so  far  as  I  knew  of 
it,  indicated  a  decided  hostility  to  the  Administration  and  its 
measures  ;  and  certainly  he  manifested  no  kindly  feeling  to 
wards  our  soldiers,  who  Avere  suffering  so  much  in  their 
Country's  service." 

For  once,  my  venerable  antagonist  ventures  to  break  from 
the  guardianship  of  his  friends,  Streight  and  Atwood,  and 
state  something  of  his  own  knowledge,  limited  though  it  be 
even  by  his  own  showing.  But  my  accuser  has  thus  plunged 
into  a  dilemma,  from  which  no  witness  can  rescue  him.  Out 
of  the  large  amount  of  testimony  presented  to  your  Honorable 
Commission  herewith,  every  officer  that  touches  the  subject 
at  all  tells  you  most  decidedly  the  contrary.  From  the  high 
est  to  the  lowest,  on  one  point  at  least,  they  are  emphatic  arid 
unanimous,  and  that  is,  that  I  was  not  only  an  earnest  upholder 
of  the  Administration  and  the  Government,  but  also  a  most 
consistent  advocate  of  all  its  measures,  while  in  prison. 

But,  supposing  the  allegation  of  the  subtle  politician  was 
strictly  true — allowing  that  I  was  an  opponent  of  the  Admin 
istration,  I  would  respectfully  ask,  When  did  that  become  a 
crime  in  the  United  States?  I  frankly  acknowledge  that  I 
did  not  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  the  Presidential  election 
of  1860.  Relying  on  my  rights  as  an  American  citizen  ;  en 
titled  by  birth  and  residence  to  all  the  privileges  incident 
thereto — the  right  of  franchise,  freedom  of  opinion,  and  lib- 


61 

Brty  of  speech  ;  and  hardly  prepared  to  believe  the  principles 
of  the  Republican  party  as  most  conducive  to  the  prosperity 
and  perpetuity  of  the  country,  I  gave  my  support  to  Ste 
phen  A..  Douglas,  being  the  first  and  only  time  I  ever  voted  a 
Democratic  ticket.  But  when  I  found  that  a  section  of  that 
organization  declared  that  the  will  of  the  majority,  as  mani 
fested  by  Mr.  Lincoln's  election,  should  not  be  respected,  I  did 
not  hesitate  an  instant  in  repudiating  such  heresies  or  in  aban 
doning  such  a  party.  I  do  not  blush  at  making  this  admis 
sion,  nor  do  I  take  credit  for  having,  at  the  recent  election, 
joined  the  .governing  party,  as  I  sincerely  belive  it  will  not 
influence  the  judgment  of  this  Honorable  Commission  one 
iota.  With  the  alternatives  presented  at  this  crisis',  the  'pro 
per  course  to  me  appeared  clear;  for,  whilst  I  am  without  the 
hope  of  finding  here  below  perfection  either  in  party  or  parti 
san,  I  am  content  to  accept  any  man  as  the  banner-bearer  of 
my  political  principles,  whose  antecedents  and  actions  do  not 
give  the  lie  to  his  professions  ;  and,  as-  1  shall  never  be  an  ap 
plicant  for  governmental  patronage,  it  is  a  matter  of  perfect 
indifference  whether  the  party  in  power  is  cognizant  of  my 
proclivities  or  not.  For  the  present  Chief  Magistrate  I  have 
no  particular  predilection  and,  should  occasion  require,  would 
vote  against  him  to-morrow,  if  any  other  man  of  the  same 
party  should  be  found  more  fitting  or  available.  As  none' 
such  was  presented  to  me,  I  had  no  choice;  and,  therefore, 
yielded  to  the  situation.  This  much  I  say,  to  show  that  I  seek 
no  favor  on  account  of  my  political  preferences  or  principles. 
I  am,  fortunately,  no  bigoted  politician  nor  blatant  partisan  ; 
and  my  services  as  an  advocate  are  not  to  be  secured  by  hopes' 
of  office  or  lust  of  power  — 

"  I  care  for  measures  more  than  men,  but  think 
Some  little  may  depend  upon  the  men  ; 
Something  in  fires  depends  upon  the 


A  volunteer  in  this  conflict,  I  only  asked  to  be  placed  where 
I  could  do  most  service,  and  whatever  promotion  I  may  have' 
attained  has  resulted  from  the  manner  in  which  I  have  per 
formed  that  service.  Of  the  truth  of  this  my  Commanders 


associates  offer  ample  testimony,  rendering   any  remarks 
from  me  unnecessary. 

As  "regards  my  "  manifesting  no  kindly  feeling  towards  our 
soldiers  who  were  suffering  so  much  in  their  country's  servi 
ces/'  I  eagerly  join  issue  with  my  aged  accuser,  and  would 
gladly  match  him,  could  I  meet  him  face  to  face  before  your 
Honorable  Commission,  or  any  other  tribunal— act  to  act  or 
result  to  result — whether  in  Libby  Prison  or  on  Belle  Island. 
To  be  sure,  I  made  no  "  high-falutin"  speeches,  nor  any  at 
tempt  to  fill  empty  bellies  with  flowery  promises  ;  neither  did 
I  preach  impossible  virtues  for  impracticable  vices  ;  but,  if 
imbuing  men  with  self-respect,  organizing  resistance  to  trained 
outrages,  exercising  a  wise  and  strict  impartiality  in  my  offi 
cial  duties,  restraining  the  vicious  and  brutal,  visiting  the  sick 
and  needy,  and  mitigating  to  the  extent  of  my  power,  the 
rigor  and  severity  of  their  keepers,  are  to  be  counted  as  indices 
of  kindly  feeling,  I  will  proudly  exhibit  my  record  against 
any  man  in  that  prison  from  Atwood  to  Dow,  including 
Streight. 

As  a  feeble  addendum  to  this  charge  of  Dow's,  I  would  add 
the  statement  of  his  humble  coadjutor,  Corporal  Taylor,  who 
adds,  en  passant,  "that  he  saw  Col.  SANDERSON  very  intimate 
with  some  of  the  Rebel  officers,  and  appeared  to  have  private 
conversations  with  them,  but  does  not  know  what  passed  upon 
those  occasions."  My  answer  to  this  charge,  other  than  a  ref 
erence  to  the  testimony  of  very  nearly  every  witness,  is  sim 
ple  and  brief.  Extending  to  me  the  courtesy  of  gentlemen,! 
did  not  feel  called  upon  to  repel  the  politenesses  of  my  keep 
ers,  or  destroy  my  influence  for  good  by  an  unnecessary  or 
impolitic  coolness.  Intimate  with  Southern  peculiarities,  I 
knew  that  a  courteous  demeanor  and  gentlemanly  address 
carried  much  weight  with  them,  and  as  I  had  everything  to 
gain  and  nothing  to  lose  by  such  conduct,  I  did  not  care  to 
depart  from  my  usual  manner  of  meeting  strangers,  especially 
as  I  did  not  dream  that  my  loyalty  required  Corporal  Taylor's 
stamp  to  prevent  its  being  deemed  counterfeit.  That  I  did 
not  take  this  fellow  into  my  confidence,  and  make  him  a  par 
ticipant  in  my  private  conversations,  arises,  possibly,  from 


some  "  old-fogy"  ideas  as  to  the  fitness  of  things,  and  a  dis 
tinction  between  an  officer  and  his  subordinates.  I  would  re 
spectfully  suggest,  however,  that"  that  intimacy  could  not  liav& 
been  of  a  very  secret  character  which  was  carried  on  in  open 
air,  within  the  scope  of  a  thousand  prying  eyes. 

The  second  charge  against  me  is,  "  Cruelty  to  Federal  pris 
oners."  This  accusation,  I  confess,  pains  me  as  greatly  as  it 
astonishes.  From  my  earliest  manhood  accustomed  to  com 
mand,  with  the  right  to  punish,  and  the  power  to  reward,  I 
did  not  find,  on  entering  the  army,  that  awkwardness  in  deal 
ing  with  those  under  me  so  incident  to  those  unused  to  con 
trol  others.  For  many  years  at  the  head  of  a  large  hotel, 
where  system  was  a  necessity  and  obedience  obligatory,  I 
have  always  been  regarded  as  strict,  but  just,  as  severe  but 
impartial,  ever  ready  to  recognize  and  reward  merit,  and 
equally  prepared  to  resent  impertinence  or  disrespect,  and 
punish  disobedience  or  laxity.  Were  it  necessary,  I  could 
bring  a  thousand  testimonials  from  my  former  employees, 
both  black  and  white,  but  few  of  whom  would  speak  of  me  as 
other  than  kind  and  merciful.  Striving  through  life  "  to  do  unto 
others  as  I  would  have  them  do  unto  me,"  I  would  not  strike 
an  enemy  when  down,  or  hold  malice  against  any  one  confess 
ing  his  fault.  I  have  never  taken  the  life  of  any  living  thing 
save  a  rat  or  a  fly,  and  if  there  is  any  cruelty  in  my  character 
or  composition  it  has  been  but  lately  developed.  Hasty  and 
passionate,  I  know  myself  to  be,  but  unjust  or  brutal — never  ! 
Emphatic  in  my  language,  and  strong  in  my  denunciations  un 
der  a  feeling  of  wrong  or  injustice,  I  have,  nevertheless^ 
schooled  myself  of  late  years  to  avoid,  almost  entirely,  profane 
or  vulgar  expressions,  judge  then  of  my  astonishment  on 
learning,  through  Brigadier  General  Neal  D'ow,  that  in  my 
intercourse  with  our  soldiers  I  was  "always  harsh  and  cruel/' 
and  accosted  them  habitually  "  with  oaths,  curses  and  bitter 
revilings,"  causing  many  of  them  "  to  be  bucked  and  gagged" 
for  ivJiat  ?  From  all  T  can  gather,  after  scrutinizing  the  vari 
ous  specifications  under  this  head,  it  was  simply  because  these 
poor  fellows  applied  to  me  for  clothing.  Pray,  for  what  else 
was  I  there  ?  If  the  distribution  of  these  articles  was  so  pain- 


'Tut  why  did  I  not  retire  from  .the  dreadful  task  or  call  upon 
•one  or  more  of  my  colleagues  to  aid  me?  I  was  not 
obliged  to  retain  the  .position  one  instant  longer  than 
was  agreeable,  nor  would  my  brother  officers  in  that  Commit 
tee  have  permitted  me  to  exercise  the  power  invested  in  me, 
had  my  barbarities  been  so  gross  or  so  [patent  as  my  enemy 
would  have  you  believe  ?  Cols.  Boyd,  Hunter,  Yon  Schrader 
and  Archer,  are  not  only  gentlemen  but  loyal  and  brave  men, 
and  I  cannot  believe  nor  dare  Neal  Dow  say,  that  they  would 
passively  have  submitted  to  such  cruelty  on  my  part,  or  have 
consented  to  serve  in  any  capacity  with  such  a  brute.  With 
them  my  intercourse  was  constant,  confiding  and  intimate,  and 
I  have  yet  to  hear  from  any  of  them  a  word  of  condemnation 
or  rebuke,  although  we  had  frequent  discussions  and  differ 
ences  as  to  our  officialduties  and  policy.  If  these  gentlemen 
were  as  cognizant  of  my  misconduct,  as  Neal  Dow  would  im 
ply,  I  would  unhesitatingly  brand  them  as  cowards  and  base 
accomplices  in  acts  more  reprehensible  than  those  of  our  ac 
cursed  foe — than  Winder  himself. 

And  may  I  not,  very  pertinently,  ask  here  why  Brigadier 
General  Neal  Dow  himself,  supported  by  his  high  rank,  forti 
fied  by  his  irrepressible  philanthropy,  and  never-to-be-too- 
loudly  vaunted  patriotism,  and  backed  by  a  thousand  loyal  men; 
why  did  not  he  arrest  me  in  this  uninterrupted  course  of  cruel 
ty  and  inhumanity  ?  "  An  ounce  of  prevention  is  worth  a 
pound  of  cure,"  and  with  my  outspoken  and  persistent, advo 
cacy  of  the  doctrine  of  "  respect  for  rank,"  he  had  every 
assurance  that  I  would  hear,  if  I  did  not  heed  ;  that  I  would 
answer,  if  I  did  not  obey.  Why  not  then  have  sought  by  pro 
tests  and  by  complaint  to  have  placed  some  limit  to  my  un 
equalled  barbarity,  my  inexcusable  crime  ? 

Thus  much  for  generalities. 

Let  me  now  examine  in  detail : 

And  first  on  the  record  comes  my  unfortunate  act  of  kick 
ing  Berry.  This  affair  I  have  already  recounted  at  great 
length,  and  will  only  refer  to  it  to  repeat  my  acknowledge 
ments  of  its  error,  and  express  my  deep  regret  at  its  occur 
rence,  and  say  in  all  sincerity  that 


'•  If  hearty  sorrow 
Be  a  sufficient  ransom  for  offence, 
I  tender  it  here/' 

The  next  item  is  as  follows  : — 

.  "One  poor  fellow,  barefooted,  asked  for  shoes  ;  and  received 
curses  instead — Capt.  Atwood  saw  this.  The  next  day  but 
one,  Capt.  Atwood  saw  the  same  roan  brought  out  in  a  blank 
et,  with  his  feet  badly  frozen  ;  I  think,  he  suffered  amputa 
tion." 

To  answer  this  charge,  I  freely  aver  I  find  my  knowledge 
of  language  too  weak  or  my  feelings  too  strong.  To  have 
concocted  such  a  tale  demanded  a  vindictiveness  of  hate  and 
a  fertility  of  imagination  only  to  be  found  in  the  darkest 
ages  and  the  warmest  clime  ;  and  when  I  characterized  thd 
nature  of  the  charges  against  me  in  my  letters  to  my  friends, 
"  as  comprising  every  crime  from  petty  larceny  to  constructive 
murder"  I  claim  to  be  strictly  within  the  limits  of  truth.  With 
the  knowledge  that  death  must  inevitably  await  the  victim  of 
such  an  operation,  under  the  then  existing  scarcity  of  proper 
remedies  in  Richmond,  General  Neal  Dow,  in  one  single  line, 
only  excelled  the  Parthian  by  dipping  his  pointed  barb  in 
thrice  distilled  poison.  He  may  be  a  philanthropist ;  he  may 
even  be  honest,  as  the  world  goes  ;  but,  if  he  be  a  Christian, 
I  beseech  him  to  turn  to  the  Decalogue,  and  treasure  up  that 
sacred  command,  "  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against  thy 
neighbor." 

Fortunately  for  me,  both  time    and  testimony  flatly  contra 
dict  this  most  foul  accusation. 

1st.     Sergeant  Toland  swears  that  I  never  refused  shoes  to 
a  barefooted  man,  except  for  causes  which  he  enumerates. 

2d.  Captain  Atwood  having  ceased  to  visit  Belle  Island,  on 
or  before  the  20th  of  December,  and  all  the  testimony  con 
curring  that  the  first  cold  night  did  not  occur  until  Christmas 
eve,  four  days  after,  Capt.  Atwoodrs  view  of  this  unfortunate 
-man  must  have  been  in  his  own  diseased  imagination. 

3d.     Those  men  who  surrounded  me,  and  would  have  been 


$ 

most  likely  to  have  kno,wn  the  truth  of  such  a  statement,  unite 
in  declaring  that -they  never  heard  of  such  an  incident. 

As  I  cannot  believe  that  your  Honorable  Commission  ,.can 
regard  this  artfully  contrived  accusation  in  any  other  light 
than  I  do,  I  will  not  occupy  your  time  by  further  argument, 
but  will  proceed  to  the  next  in  order. 

"  His  intercourse  with  the  soldiers,  was  always  with  oaths, 
and  curses,  and  bitter  revilings.  Many  of  these  poor  fellows 
he  caused  to  be  bucked  and  gagged.  And  this  to  half-starved 
and  half-frozen  men  who  had  left  friends,  business,  and  com 
fortable  homes,  in  some  cases  luxurious  homes,  to  help 
save  their  country  from  being  blotted  out  ..from  the  map  of 
Nations.  Many  of  these  men  were  educated  gentlemen;" 

Next  to  the  denial  of  my  utterance  of  disloyal  sentiments, 
either  by  condemning  my  own  Government,  or  upholding  that 
of  our  enemy,  no  contradiction. is  so  emphatic  or  so  unanimous 
as  that  which  refers  to  my  using  profane,  vulgar,  or  abusive 
language.  Capt.  Charlie r,  a  high-toned,  polished  Frenchman, 
..educated  in  tho  best  French  Theological  Colleges,  and  about 
to  take  holy  .orders,  when  news  of  this  rebellion  reaching  him 
in  Italy,  induced  him  to  forego  the  sacred  calling  to  engage  in 
one  almost  as  holy,  tells  you  in  his  statement  that,  "  Unless  I 
•except  the  use  of  the  word  "  damn,'7  I  never  heard  Lt.-Col. 
SANDERSON  make  use  of  profane  or  vulgar  language.  Ho'  was 
always  refined, in  his.  intercourse  with  me,  or  with  others  in  my 
presence.  I  even  thought  him  religiously  inclined."  To  appre 
ciate  at  its  full  value,  this  temperate  but  strongly  worded  evi 
dence,  your  Honorable  Commission  should  see  the  deponent 
as  I  have  seen  him,  rebuking  in  firm  but  courteous  terms  the 
profane  ,an,d  .beastly  horde  that  of  times  made  night  hideous 
with  their  scurrility  and  cursing.  In  words  of  fire  I  have 
heard  him  denounce  the  scoffer  and  the  infidel,  and  send  them 
sneaking,  silently,  into  the  recesses  of  their  own  corrupt 
heart  for  refuge  and  sympathy,  drawing  forth  by  his  manly 
and  just  indignation  the  spontaneous  applause  of  every  proper- 
'inari.  Such  words  from,  such  a  jnan  carried  a  weight  irresist- 


; 

ible  to  the  offender,  and  produced  an  effect  which  was  grate 
fully  acknowledged  by  the  better  class  among  us.  That  such 
a  man  should  feel  justified  in  such  praise  of  me,  would  fully 
repay  for  any  epithets  of  abuse  heaped  upon  me  by  all  the 
spurious  philanthropists  of  the  age,  were  they  ten  times  more 
active  than  Xeal  Dow.  Living  near  me,  conversing  with  me 
almost  hourly,  and  judging  me  by  such  criterions  as  his  skilled 
judgment  would  decide,  I  ask  no  better  testimony,  and  can 
offer  none. 

Why  General  Dow  should  have  persisted  in  fastening  upon 
me  this  unnecessary  and  ungentlcmanly  vice,  of  habitual  pro 
fanity,  I  amenable  to  comprehend,  except  that  it  aided  him 
in  strengthening  an  otherwise  impoverished  case,  and  served 
rto  round  his  sentences.  Of  all  that  company,  ho  alone,  who 
"  had  no  intercourse  with  me,"  has  been  able  to  hear  these  hor 
rible  imprecations,  these  soul-killing  profanities.  Even  Corp'l 
Taylor  ignores  them,  and  contents  himself  with  characterizing 
my  words  as  of  a  sporti\7e  nature. 

That  I  caused  some  men  to  bo  bucked  is  most  true.  Why  I 
did  so  has  already  been  stated,  and  so  far  from  apologizing  for 
'it,  I  ask  your  applause.  Every  account  that  has  yet  been 
published,  every  witness  from  among  the  enlisted  men  them 
selves,  whether  on  Belle  Isle  or  Andersonville,  tell  you  of  that 
band  of  organized  villains,  of  which  no  other  gathering  or 
community  could  produce  a  parallel.  Unrestrained  by  any 
law  human  or  divine  ;  unfettered  by  any  principle  of  honor  or 
patriotism  ;  iinterrified  by  the  resistance  of  the  vigorous  or 
the  groans  of  the  weak  ;  unmoved  by  imprecations  or  prayers  • 
they  prowled  through  the  encampment  like  human  vampires, 
sucking  the  life-blood  of  their  associates,  and  intent  only  on 
plunder  and  rapine.  Such  men  I  Lucked.  I  could  only  pun 
ish  them  homeopathically  j  their  comrades,  when  vested 
with  the  power,  treated  them  more  allopathically — they  hung 
them  !  Had  Gen.  Neal  Dow  been  called  upon,  he  would  have 
tried  moral  suasion,  or  made  a  speech  to  them:  which  Avould 
then  have  been  considered  more  cruel — He  or  I?  Are  these 
tlie  men,  "  some  of  them  educated  ^gentlemen,  who  had  left 
Triends,' business",  and  homes — In  some  cases,  luxurious  homes," 


68 

for  whom  you  are  asked  to  shed  your  tears?  Jail-birds,  bounty- 
jumpers,  and  assassins ! 

"  On  one  occasion,  (a  cold  day,)  a  squad  of  men,  half  starve^ 
and  pinched  with  cold,  came  out  for  clothes.  At  the  head  of 
the  line,  to  be  served  first,  was  a  soldier — curled  up  and  shiv 
ering — his  hands  in  his  poor  apologies  for  pockets.  With 
oaths  and  curses,  SANDERSON  demanded,  why  he  did  not  take 
the  position  of  a  soldier  ;  and  drove  the  poor  wretch  to  the 
tail  of  the  line — to  wait  a  long  hour  or  two,  as  a  punishment*" 

In  corroboration  of  this,  we  find  in  Corp.  Taylor's  statement 
the  following  : — 

"Have  seen  Col.  SANDERSON  standing  with  Rebel  officers 
when  some  of  the  Union  prisoners  would  approach  with  their 
hands  in  their  pockets,  in  rags  and  tatters  ;  and  Col.  SANDER 
SON,  instead  of  commiserating  their  situation,  would  seem  to 
make  sport  of  them,  and  order  them  to  take  their  hands  out 
of  their  pockets." 

These  two  paragraphs  may  be  included  under  one  Specifica 
tion  ;  and,  as  the  offence  charged  is  the  same,  I  will  consider 
it  as  an  unity.  As  I  have  already  stated,  the  men  were  brought 
out  before  me  in  squads,  rarely  exceeding  sixty  or  seventy. 
Their  names  having  been  already  enrolled,  it  was  not  at  all 
unlikely  that  the  first  called  would  be  found  at  the  end  of  the 
line  instead  of  the  head.  As  every  one  passed  up  in  front,  he 
received  the  usual  caution  to  "  take  his  hands  out  of  his  pock 
ets,  and  assume  the  position  of  a  soldier."  Having  the  accu 
rate  state  of  his  wardrobe  recorded  opposite  to  his  name,  it 
required  hardly  half  a  minute  to  issue  the  order  for  the  neces 
sary  articles  ;  and,  as  Brig.  Gen.  Powell  assures  you,  that  "  he 
could  not  but  admire  the  prompt  and  systematic  manner"  in 
which  I  performed  this  business,  you  must  take  it  for  granted 
that  he  at  least  found  no  fault  with  that  portion  of  my  conduct. 
With  eight  thousand  men  awaiting  my  motions,  I  was  forced 
to  be  brief  and  decisive;  and  at  no  time  was  a  single  squad  be 
fore  me  "  a  long  hour  or  two,"  or  in  fact  ever  over  half  an  hour. 
But,  in  the  very  midst  of  my  duties,  I  never  lost  sight  of  my 
position,  nor  permitted  willful  disrespect  to  pass  unnoticed. 
Having  been  informed  of  their  duty,  nothing  but  absolute 


69 

deafness  could  justify,  or  positive  obstinacy  account  for  a  non- 
compliance.  An  enlisted  man,  able  to  drag  himself  into  the 
presence  of  a  commissioned  officer,  under  any  plea  whatever, 
is  quite  strong  enough  to  stand  in  his  presence  in  the  position 
of  a  soldier.  When  they  were  brought  before  me  by  the  aid 
of  others,  I  waived  form  and  ceremony  and  attended  to  them 
at  once  ;  but  to  a  man  able  to  walk  unsupported,  I  have  yet 
to  learn  that  keeping  his  hands  in  his  pockets  is  either  an  aid 
or  a  curative.  Nor  do  I  recognize  any  lawful  order  of  a  supe 
rior  as  implying  degradation,  in  its  performance,  to  the  inferior. 
If  that  order  is  lawful,  it  is  proper  ;  and  the  very  first  section 
of  the  first  article  of  the  Army  Regulations  expressly  requires 
that  "  all  inferiors  should  obey  such  orders  strictly,  and  exe 
cute  them  with  alacrity  and  good  faith."  But  says  my  "  war 
ranted"  accuser,  •'  Col.  SANDERSON  would  use  harsh  language 
towards  them."  When  once  convinced  that  a  man  could  hear 
an  order,  his  refusal  to  obey  it  was  an  insult  which  I  resented 
in  anything  but  a  deprecatory  tone  and  subdued  manner;  and 
the  very  fact  of  my  being  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy  would 
have  incited  mo  to  show  him  that,  if  the  private  forgot  his 
duty,  the  officer  did  not :  and  so  Corp.  Taylor  discovered  at  a 
very  early  stage  of  his  acquaintance  with  me.  There  are  offi 
cers  prone  to  implore  men  to  do  their  duty,  and  I  have  even 
witnessed  some  exercising  that  method;  but,  I  frankly  confess 
that  the  only  feeling  I  was  inspired  with,  was  a  desire  to  re 
verse  their  positions,  quite  satisfied  that  I  should  have  the 
right  man  in  the  right  place. 

"  Occasionally,"  says  Corp.  Taylor,  "  a  man  or  so  would 
come  out  and  ask  for  particular  articles;  and  I  have  heard 
Col.  SANDERSON  repeatedly  use  harsh  language  towards  them 
and  order  them  away,  calling  them  '  dirty  fellows.' " 

The  very  fact  of  a  man  coming  out  occasionally  to  ask  for  a 
particular  article,  was  a  disobedience  of  orders  and  in  direct , 
•conflict  with  system  and  discipline.  Laying  out  the  work  for 
each  day,  I  only  carried  with  me  the  papers  necessary  for  that 
work;  and,  unless  a  man  was  in  very  great  need,  or  suffering 
from  great  debility,  no  partiality  could  justly  be  shown  with. 


70s. 

Out  producing  inextricable  confusion;  and  ...so  they  were  in: ' 
formed.  If  persistent  in  their  application,  effectual.  means> 
were  taken  to  remove -the  annoyance.  As  to.  iny  calling  some 
of  them  "dirty  fellows,"  I  cannot  deny.it;  and  I  regretted 
then  as  now  the  necessity  for  such  an  epithet;  but,  as  they 
were,  the  exception  to.  the  general  rule,  and  were  literally  en-, 
titled  to  the  designation,  without,  in  my  opinion,  a  legitimate 
cause  for  their  filthiness,  I  do  ,not  offer  any  apology  for  the  ap<- 
pellation,  excepting  that  they  were  very  dirty  fellows,  and 
alike  a  disgrace  to  themselves  and  a  nuisance  to  their  com 
rades.  Had  there  been  no  appliances  for  cleanliness,  my  re 
proaches  would  have  been  unjust;  but,  with  a  broad  river 
laving  the  .very  confines  of  their  camp,  to  which  they  had  con 
venient  and  frequent  access,  there  was  no  justification  in  their 
presenting  .themselves  before  me  in  a  condition  of  beastly  filth. 
That  some  mcn;are  inherently  dirty  admits  of  no  denial;  hence 
that  section  of  Article  13,  Rev.  Army  Reg.  referring  thereto^ 
Even  among  the  commissioned  officers  in  Libby,  there  were- 
those  among  us  especially  designated  by  the  title  of  "Dirty 
This,'7  or  "  Dirty  That." 

.After  declaring  that  he-  had  heard  me  order  some  of  t he- 
men  to  be  bucked,  .Corporal  Taylor  proceeds  to  say  :  "  The- 
reason  why  lie  ordered  them  bucked,  as  he  supposes,  was,  that 
they  had  sold  some  of  their  clothing  for  the  purpose  of  obtain 
ing  food."  That  any  .man  may  sell  his  blanket  for  subsistence,, 
under  an  extreme  pressure  of  hunger,  I  can  readily  understand r 
but  that  his  comrades  should  suffer  on  account  of  his  improvi 
dence,  I  am  not  prepared  to  admit.  Had  my  stock  been  un 
limited,  the  choice  between  food  and  raiment  might  have  en 
tered  into  my  calculations,  but  with  the  materials  placed  at 
my  disposal,  no  such  choice^  was  permitted  me  ;  and  as  this 
abuse  had  grown  to  great  proportions,  the  Corporal  himself  ad 
mitting  that  "a  considerable  number  of  the  Rebel  guard  were 
clothed  in  the  United  States  clothing,  much  of  which  Avas  ob 
tained  from  the  Union  soldiers."  I  felt  it  was  my  duty  to  put 
a  stop  to  it  in  some  way,  especially  as  those  who  sold  their 
own  clothing  did 'not  hesitate  to  steal  from  their  comrades' 
when  opportunity  presented  ;  and  although  *I  punished  only 


71 

the  most  flagrant  cases  brought  to  .my  notice,  I'  am;  neve'rtm>- 
less,  denounced  as  a  tyrant  by  this  most  patriotic  soldier. 
'   But  it  was  not  all  exchanged  by  the  men,  says  this  vera 
cious  witness,  for  "  he  saw   Col.   SANDERSON  give  sonic  of  it' 
away  to  the  Rebels,"  especially  an  over-coat  to  one  man.   This; 
statement  is  "  a  lie  out  of  .the  whole  cloth,"  and   is  director" 
contradicted  both  by  Mr.  Toland  and  Mr.  Saurman,  the  only 
clerks  I  have  thus  far  been  able  to  reach. 
The  great  poet  tells  us, 

"  TJiat   in  the  captain's  but  a  choleric  word, 
'•  Which  in  the  soldier  is  flat  blasphemy," 

but,  in  these  leveling  times,  they  would  have  us  proclaim, 
"  That  a  virtue  in  the  private  rank,  which  in  the  officer  is  gross 
treason."  The  soldier  may  clothe  the  whole  Rebel  guard  with 
out  reproach,  but  his  superior  must  not  even  expjiangc  good/ 
words,  lest  his  loyalty  be  questioned.  For  my  own  part,  I. 
can  recollect  of  no  incident  on  which  such  a  charge  could  be 
based,  unless  some  one  of  the  Rebel  non-commissioned  officers 
may  have  been  permitted  to  change  a  coat  already  purchased 
from  some  of  our  men.  But  even  this  is  mere  supposition  on  my 
part,  and  somewhat  improbable,  as  many  of  the  guard  were  pun 
ished  at  my  instance,  for  carrying  on  this  traffic,  which  at  one 
time  became  so  crying  a  shame  as  to  excite  criticism  even  in 
the  Confederate  prints. 

'•  Col.  SANDERSON  seemed  to  have  no  patience  with  them,  he 
seemed  to  use  them  more  like  brutes  than  men." 

For  a  refutation  of  this  calumny,  I  refer  your  Honorable 
Commission  to  the  testimony  of  every  man  or  officer  who 
speaks  to  that  point,  and  were  it  possible  for  me  to  compel  the 
attendance  of  every  man  confined  on  that  Island,  I  would  over 
whelm  you  with  evidences  of  my  personal  kindness  and  great 
patience  with  these  unfortunate  victims  of  Southern  cruelty. 
With  but  a  very  limited  amount  of  money,  comparatively, 
four  hundred  dollars  in  greenbacks,  most  of  it  borrowed  for 
the  express'- purpose,  I  lent  various  sums  to  officers  and  meft,. 
a  moiety  of  which  I  shall  never  see  again  ;  and  not  a  day  passed 
over  my  head  that  I  did  not  *  effect  or  attempt  some  act-'of 


72 

^kindness  for  these  unhappy  and  improvident  creatures.  The 
1;rue  character  of  my  conduct  in  this  respect,  however,  can 
siever  be  arrived  at  save  by  the  searching  scrutiny  of  a  Court 
T)f  Inquiry,  and  I  must  content  myself  in  this  case  by  disprov 
ing  alleged  vice  without  aiming  to  establish  [positive  virtue. 
'Nevertheless,  I  would  particularly  point  you  to  the  statements 
«of  Sergeant  Toland,  who  is  endorsed  by  Gen.  Meade  ;  Private 
Saurman,  Sergeant  Pettys,  and  Private  Morgan,  endorsed  by 
Lt.-Col.  Northcott,  and  to  the  statements  of  those  officers  who 
took  the  pains  to  examine  the  men  on  the  Island  for  the  ex 
press  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  truth  on  this  point. 

Let  me  now  call  your  attention  to  the  third  charge  of  this 
most  extraordinary  indictment.  "  Misappropriation  of  stores 
sent  by  the  Government,  or  by  the  Sanitary  Commission." 
To  support  it  WTC  have  two  specifications.  One  from  Corporal 
Taylor,  which  has  already  been  fully  answered  ;  the  other  by 
Gen.  Neal  Dow,  in  these  words  :  "  The  U.  S.  Sanitary  Com 
mission  sent  a  great  quantity  of  supplies  to  me,  for  distribu 
tion,  but  the  Rebels  put  them  into  the  hands  of  Col.  Sander 
son.  Only  a  small  part  of  them  was  distributed.  I  am  confi 
dent  that  a  part  of  them  was  given  to  the  Rebels  by  Colonel 
Sanderson,  besides  what  they  stole,  and  Col.  Sanderson  ap 
propriated  to  his  own  use  a  case  of  egg-nogg,  that  was  mark 
ed  for  the  hospital." 

Of  all  the  petty  acts  of  this  petty  man,  this  is  the  pettiest ; 
and,  like  the  wasp,  it  carries  its  sting  in  its  tail.  Were  this 
the  only  charge  against  me,  I  would  treat  it  with  the  ridicule 
it  deserves,  placing  before  you  in  its  most  ludicrous  light,  the 
enormous  offence  involved  in  the  charge — that  of  robbing 
Neal  Dow,  the  great  Apostle  of  Temperance  and  Chief-Advo 
cate  of  Cold  Water,  of  his  egg-nogg  ! 

"  Almost  as  bad,  good  mother, 
As  kill  a  king,  and  marry  with  his  brother." 

But  added  as  it  is  to  others  of  such  grave  import,  "  the  irre 
pressible  spirit  of  fun,"  which  generally  actuates  me,  is 
silenced,  and  I  can  only  answer  it  in  sober  sadness. 

One  of  a  Committee  of  Five,  which  Gen.  Dow  takes  especial 
care  to  ignore,  I  was  specially  assigned  to  the  distribution  of 


73 

clothing  on  Belle  Island,  leaving  to  Lt. -Colonels  Von  Schra- 
der  and  Hunter,  and  Capt.  Chamberlain,  the  exclusive  care 
of  the  prisoners  in  the  warehouses  and  hospitals,  and  to  Lt.- 
Col.  Boyd  entire  control  of  the  accounts.  At  first  it  was  in 
tended  that  all  the  Sanitary  Commission  supplies  should  be 
exclusively  reserved  for  the  sick,  and  for  a  long  time  this  in 
tention  was  scrupulously  observed  ;  but  for  reasons  which  I 
either  never  knew,  or  have  forgotten,  it  was  suddenly  deter 
mined  by  the  other  members  of  the  Committee,  during  my 
absence,  to  divide  thorn  equally  among  the  officers  of  the 
prison,  who  would  bo  expected  to  pay  to  the  Sanitary  Com 
mission,  on  their  release,  the  cost  of  the  articles  allotted  to 
them  ;  and  one  of  my  messmates,  Capt.  Fobes,  a  commissary  of 
subsistence,  was  selected,  at  the  recommendation  of  Col.  Von 
Schrader,  and  without  my  knowledge,  as  the  most  suitable 
person  to  transact  this  business. 

A  day  or  two  previous  to  this,  however,  happening  to  go  to 
the  room  used  by  my  colleagues  for  business  purposes,  and  in 
which  the  choicest  of  these  supplies  were  stored,  I  noticed  a 
case  of  egg-nogg  was  broken  open,  and  several  bottles  taken 
therefrom.  Turning  to  one  of  the  committee — Col.  Hunter, 
I  think — and  Capt.  Monroe,  the  Rebel  officer  in  charge,  I 
asked  permission  to  take  that  box,  agreeing  to  refund  its  cost 
to  the  Commission  when  released.  To  this  Captain  Monroe 
acceded,  provided  I  would  give  him  a  receipt,  which  I  did,  in 
duplicate,  and  carried  the  box  myself  to  the  prison,  when  I 
returned  to  my  quarters.  This  article,  as  Capt.  Fobes  certi 
fies,  was  charged  to  me,  and  I  was  prepared  on  reaching  home 
to  pay  for  it,  but  was  informed  that  the  Commission  declined 
to  receive  pay,  and  I  therefore  spent  the  amount  at  the  Fair 
held  for  its  benefit  subsequently  in  New- York.  Like  every 
other  article  of  luxury,  such  as  condensed  milk,  canned  meats, 
preserved  fruits  and  jellies,  and  other  articles  of  similar  char 
acter,  the  box  was  branded  "  Hospital  Supplies,"  or  words  to 
that  effect  ;  at  least  that  is  my  impression  ;  and  as  all  these 
articles  were  fairly  distributed  among  my  fellow  prisoners, 
particularly  Neal  Dow  and  Col.  A.  D.  Streight,  I  did  not  then 
nor  now  consider  myself  personally  amenable  to  the  charge  of 


robbing  the  sick.  But  this  little  matter  of  division  is  not  the 
only  incident  that  appears  to  have  escaped  the- recollection  6f 
my  virtuous' antagonist.  One  or  two  other-  points,  to  whi'ch  I 
will  call  his  attention  and  that  of  your  honorable  Commission, 
are  equally  ignored. 

1st.  These  supplies  were  never,  for  one  instant,  in  my  hands- 
or  under  my  control  ;  consequently  I  could  not  have  given 
any  portion,  large  or  small,  to  the  Rebels.  In  fact,  it  was  only 
from  the  Rebels  themselves  that  we  could  obtain  any  of  them 
for  any  purpose  whatever  ;  and  in  parting  with  them,  more 
than  the  usual  amount  of  red  tape  wras  employed,  the  whole 
thing  being  too  good  to  part  with  easily.  I  have  not  the 
slightest  doubt  that  many  articles  were  used  by  them,  but  it 
would  have  been  an  insult  to  me  to  ask  my  leave  to  take 
stores  over  which  I  had  no  command. 

2d.  A  very  large  share  of  these  supplies  was  consumed  in 
the  hospitals,  the  store-rooms  of -each  being  filled  with  them 
on  the  only  two  occasions  I  visited  those  institutions;  and,  a& 
Col.  LeFavour  states,  "he  received  quite  a  quantity  of  the 
Stores  from  Capt.  Fobcs;  and,  as  far  as  he  is  aware,  all  of  the 
officers  received  a  portion,  of  them."  And  Capt.  Fobes  him 
self  testifies  :  "  Gen.  Dow  also  received  a  large  supply  of 
Stores,  and  gave  his  acknowledgements  for  the  same." 

3d.  Considerable  stress  being  laid  by  Gen.  Dow  on  the  fact 
of  the  article  appropriated  by  me  being  egg-nogg,  it  is  fair  to- 
presume  that  this  unwonted  solicitude  on  his  part  arose  from, 
his  fear  of  my  making  an  improper. use  of  it.  I,  therefore,, 
deem  .it  my  duty,  in  order  to  allay  all  anxiety  in  the  mind  of 
this  distinguished  Temperance  Apostle,  that  this  mixture  (as- 
prepared  for  the  Sanitary  Commission)  contains  no  liquor  ! 

He  also  complains  that  I  appropriated  it  to  my  own  use.  This 
is  true  :  I  did  use  it  on  the  spot.  Had  I  been  a  more  provident 
and  systematic  rascal,  1  ivould  have  brought  it  home  ivith  me. 

To  say  more  of  this  matter  would  perhaps  invest  it  with 
undue  importance,  but  as  Gen.  Neal  Dow  has  criticised  my 
Stewardship  so  severely,  might  I  not  properly  scrutinize  his  in 


return;  even  if,  in  doing  so,  I  should'  be  forced  to  descend  to 
his  own  low  arena  ?  But  were  I  to  tell  you  that,  in  making 
this  examination,  I  had  discovered  this  honest  and  patriotic 
officer,  entrusted  by  a  noble  charity  as  its  almoner  and  fidu 
ciary  agent  with  the  distribution  of  its  much  prized  munifi 
cence,  to  a  band  of  noble  and  suffering  comrades,  had  "  appro 
priated  to  his  own  use"  a  large  amount'  of  the  most  needed 
article  ;  and,  whilst  revelling  in  a  superfluity,  had  coolly  re 
garded  his  unfortunate  fellow-prisoners,  during  an  inclement 
season,  painfully  passing  the  weary  hours  on  the  bare  floor— 
or,  worse  yet,  "  sitting  up  all  night"  to  avoid  the  possible 
contingency  of  freezing  to  death,  you  might  justly  suspect  me 
of  wilfully  wronging  this  excellent  man.  But,  should  I  go  a 
step  further  and  declare  that  this  world-wide  philanthropist— 
this  national  Reformer,  overlooking  the  pressing  needs  of  those 
who  surrounded  him — ;'  men  half  starved  and  half  frozen,  who 
had  >  left  friends,  business,  and  comfortable -homes— in  some 
cases,  luxurious  homes,  to  help  save  their  country  from  being- 
blotted  out  from  the  map  of  nations — many  of  them  educated 
gentlemen," — that  this  eloquent  and  loyal  enthusiast,  gushing 
with  tears  of  pity  and  sobs  of  woe ;  ignoring  the  immediate 
necessities  of  his  brother  officers  had  knowingly  "and  with 
malice  aforethought,"  brought  away  ivith  him.  from  that  dismal 
and  cheerless  den  subsistence,  clothing,  and  medicine  to  this 
a  land  of  plenty,  overflowing  with  milk  and  honey,  you  would 
pronounce  the  charge  incredible  and  the  emanation  of  a 
warped  judgment  and  distorted  mind. 

But,  situated  as  I  am,  I  would  not  have  dared  suspect  such 
an  act,  had  not  Gen.  Neal  Dow  himself  given  the  clue  ;  but, 
on  reading  in  his  speech  delivered  at  the  City  Hall  in  Port 
land,  that  "he  had  brought  two  large  trunks  away  with  him," 
and  unable  to  comprehend  how  anything  possessed  of  the 
least  soul  could  willingly  deprive  his  comrades — much  less,  his 
messmates,  of  anything  conducive  to  their  comfort,  whether 
books,  subsistence,  or  clothing,  I  was  induced  to  make  the 
inquiry  in  my  correspondence  with  my  brother  officers,  and 
now  present  your  Honorable  Commission  with  the  result.  This 
difficulty  between  Gen.  Dow  and  myself  has  not  been  of  mij 


76 

seeking.  Not  liking  him  or  his  antecedents,  I  avoided  him. 
Having  enough  of  my  own  business  to  attend  to,  I  had  no 
time  to  devote  to  "  his  sayings  and  doings;"  and,  although  I 
never  considered  him  an  honor  to  the  cloth,  1^  did  not  deem 
it  my  duty  to  act  the  spy  upon  his  actions  in  order  that  he 
might  "be  dismissed  the  service."  Even  when  warned  against 
him  and  his  black  list,  conscious  of  no  wrong,  I  entertained  no 
fear;  and  even  now,  when  forced  to  repel  his  gratuitous  as 
saults  and  measure  character  for  character,  I  exhume  his  bad 
acts  and  anatomize  his  defects,  as  a  surgeon  would  a  corpse — 
disliking  the  task,  but  necessitated  by  love  of  science  or  truth 
to  endure  the  odor. 

But  who  accuses  him  of  this  meanest  of  meannesses  ?  Col. 
Rodgers,  Col.  Williams,  Col.  Farnsworth,  Capt.  Timony,  Lt. 
Lennig,  and  last  and  strongest,  Capt.  Hamlin.  As  you  do  not 
probably  know  this  officer,  let  me  explain  why  I  emphasize 
his  name.  When  our  chaplains,  thinking  after  the  comforts 
of  home,  and  "  the  flesh-pots  of  Egypt/7  left  us  sick  and  sad, 
weary  and  in  prison,  without  a  spiritual  adviser  or  religious 
guide,  a  few  gentlemen,  humble  "  soldiers  of  the  Cross/' 
emerged  from  their  obscurity,  and  modestly  but  firmly  avowed 
themselves  followers  of  Him,  who  never  deserts  the  needy 
and  penitent,  and  is  to  be  found  more  frequently  in  the  cot 
of  the  lowly  than  in  the  temples  of  the  great.  These  men, 
the  only  links  between  ourselves  and  Christianity,  in  earnest 
and  sincere  words,  nightly  sent  forth  their  prayers  to  the 
Great  Deliverer  for  freedom  from  bondage,  and  besought  us 
in  gentle  and  persuasive  terms  to  put  our  trust  in  Him. 
Visiting  every  room  in  turn,  the  hardiest  ruffian  and  the 
greatest  disbeliever  refrained  from  interference,  and  respect 
ed,  if  they  did  not  heed  them.  Among  them  were  Powell, 
^Northcott,  Whitesides,  and  Hamlin — brave  officers  in  the 
•cause  of  Freedom,  they  were  true  soldiers  in  the  cause  of 
Clod.  Serene  in  temper  and  equable  in  mind,  they  stood  un 
moved  amid  the  crash  of  character  and  the  flood  of  slander 
that  filled  and  permeated  those  prison  halls,  and  whilst  at 
tentive  to  their  own  affairs,  were  ever  ready  to  give  a  helping 
tiand  to  others.  Such  men,  truthful  themselves,  despise  the 


77 

hypocrite,  and  manfully  battle  for  the  right,  whether  in  pub 
lic  or  private  life.     From  one  of  them  we  have  these  words  : 

"  I  was  well  acquainted  with  Gen.  Neal  Dow.  I  saw  him 
take  from  the  prison  two  trunks,  when  he  left  for  the  North. 

"I  saw  him  pack  the  trunks.  He  did  put  some  blankets  in 
them. 

"  The  number  of  blankets  General  Dow  saw  fit  to  take  up 
to  Maine  with  him,  I  don't  exactly  know.  I  heard  it  was 
fourteen.  I  know  he  took  several  /" 

Capt.  Hamlin  slept  within  ten  feet  of  Gen.  Neal  Dow, 
and  had  this  knowledge  thrust  upon  him  ;  he  did  not  spy  it 
out. 

Sterne  it  was,  I  believe,  who  passed  a  starving  beggar  to 
sentimentalize  over  a  dying  jackass  ;  but  it  is  left  to  Neal 
Dow  to  ignore  the  real  sufferings  of  his  brother  officers,  under 
his  own  eye,  to  bewail  the  imaginary  woes  of  men  he  never 
saw. 

Having  already  directed  his  attention  to  "  Holy  Writ,"  let 
me  now  bring  to  his  notice  the  next  best  book — Shakspeare  ; 
wherein,  if  he  seeks,  he  will  find  this  passage,  which  I  advise 
him  "to  read,  mark, learn,  and  inwardly  digest :" 

"  Heat  not  a  furnace  for  your  foe  so  hot 
That  it  doth  singe  yourself  :  we  may  outrun 
By  violent  swiftness  that  which  we  run  at, 
And  lose  by  overrunning." 

I  now  approach  the  most  important  and  most  damning 
charge,  one  which  has  flown  to  the  nethermost  corners  of  the 
earth,  on  lightning  wings,  proclaiming  me  to  all  humanity,  a 
tainted  and  accursed  traitor.  Born  of  an  accident,  it  was  cov 
ertly  taken,  and  carefully  nursed  by  my  enemies,  who  ingeni 
ously  concealed  its  growth,  until  circumstances  enabled  them 
to  present  it  full-fledged,  its  first  appearance  in  public  having 
been  skillfully  manipulated  by  hints,  inuendoes,  and  anonymous 
advertisements. 

During  the  month  of  November,  1863,  Dr.  Spencer,  Streight'a 
own  Surgeon,  was  released,  and  the  first  result  of  his  libera 
tion  was  a  fulsome  report  of  his  leader's  great  raid  (?)  and  a 


78 

quiet  little  paragraph  intimating  that  a  certain  well-known 
"  Union  Lieut.-Colonel  had  frustrated  a  plan  of  escape  by  dis 
closing  it  to  the  Confederates."  In  the  month  of  February, 
764,  a  long  statement  was  published  in  the  Washington  Star, 
and  copied  in  most  of  the  leading  journals,  graphically  por 
traying  the  hardships  of  those  who  had  escaped  through  the 
tunnel,  and  describing  at  full  length  the  scene  supposed  to 
have  taken  place  in  Libby  Prison,  when  it  was  found  out  that 
a  certain  Union  Lieutenant-Colonel  had  betrayed  our  plan  of 
escape  to  the  Rebels,  not  one  word  of  which  was  true.  At  the 
moment  of  this  publication  but  little  hopes  of  an  exchange 
were  entertained,  and  the  conspirators  had  every  reason  to  ex 
pect  ample  time  for  the  full  development  of  their  machinations. 
Col.  Straight,  the  foster  parent  of  this  charge,  having  escaped, 
himself  took  the  field,  and  on  every  occasion,  and  in  every 
place,  from  the  private  office  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  the 
festal  board  of  the  .Loyal  League  Club,  elaborated  and  detailed 
my  great  crime.  At  the  very  moment  when  the  poison  was 
working  strongest,  I  made  my  appearance,  and  in  the  very  first 
stopping  place.  Annapolis,  learned  that  certain  Doctors  had 
been  circulating  reports  injurious  to  my  character  some  time 
back.  On  reaching  Washington  more  definite  information 
was  given  me,  and  by  dint  of  exertion  I  succeeded  in  obtaining 
my  first  experience  "under  arrest."  After 'months  of  labori 
ous  effort,  I  have  at  length  gained  a  knowledge  of  this  foul 
accusation,  and  find  it  worded  thus,  (the  italics  being  my  own): 

"  Early  last  fall,  we  had  arrangements  nearly  perfected  for 
breaking  out.  and  capturing  the  City.  We  had  about  1 ,000 
officers  and  almost  10,000  soldiers  there,  and  were  carelessly 
guarded.  Suddenly  we  saw  two  pieces  of  artillery  planted 
near  and  bearing  on  us,  and  some  companies  of  soldiery  sta 
tioned  in  front  of  the  prison.  Soon  we  learned  that  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  had  betrayed  -us  to  the  Rebels.  The  indignation  of 
the  officers  was  very  great,  but  it  was  finally  allayed  upon  as: 
surances  that  there  was  no  intention  of  communicating  the  se 
cret  beyond  our  own  officers  in  the  hospital.  Of  these  matters' 
I  am  not  personally  cognizant,  but  think  Col.  Streight  will  be 
able  to  substantiate  them."  t 

Will  it  be  believed,  gentlemen,  that  at"  this  very  instant  'of 


time  Brigadier-General  Neal  Dow,  who  writes  as  if  he  was 
present,  was  just  one  thousand  miles  distant  from  the  location 
•of  the  scene  so  clearly  described  ?  Would  it  be  deemed  pos 
sible,  in  this  age,  when  an  officer's  word  is  considered  equal  to 
his  oath,  that  any  one  holding  such  rank  would  deliberately 
set  down  and  write  this  most  cruel  statement  as  having  oc 
curred  under  his  own  eye,  when,  at  the  very  moment  he  was 
so  far  distant  that  no  known  mode  of  locomotion  in  that  coun 
try  could  have  transported  him  short  of  three  days  ?  To  be 
sure,  he  says,  "  I  am  not  personally  cognizant  of  these  mat 
ters,"  but  is  it  the  custom  of  truthful  or  just  men  thus  to 
speak,  when  every  word  they  utter,  based  on  their  high 
position,  is  calculated  to  destroy  a  fellow-creature's  char 
acter  ? 

u  "Who  Ftabs  my  name  would  stab  my  person  too. 
"Did  not  the  hangman's  axe  lie  in  the  way.7-' 

That  a  general  officer,  engaged  in  the  service  of  his  country, 
should  so  far  demean  himself,  is  I  am  proud  to  say,  an  anomaly; 
and  Neal  Dow  did  well  when  he  resigned  a  commission  he 
knew  so  little  how  to  appreciate.  That  he  was  not  cognizant 
of  the  matters  he  here  speaks  of,  would  be  very  apparent  had 
I  been  able  to  obtain  a  statement  from  Col.  Ccsnola,  but  as 
that  officer  declines  to  inform  us  on  the  points  in  question,  of 
which  he  alone  can  speak  by  the  book,  I  must  depend  upon 
others  not  so  deeply  versed  in  the  details,  to  show  how  little 
he  did  know.  From  all  the  testimony  I  have  been  able  to 
.obtain,  it  appears  that  there  was  a  very  great  diversity  of 
sentiment  as':to  all  the  plans  of  escape.  What,  in  my  opinion, 
was  deemed. thoughtful,  feasible,  and  facile  of  execution,  is 
branded  by  another  as  "  wild  and  impracticable ;"  while  what 
was  esteemed  bold  and  daring  by  some,  was  in  the  judgment 
of  others  "  fool-hardy  and  murderous.''  The  plan,  that  wag 
in  reality  meant  to  be  disclosed,  was  Undoubtedly  that  des 
cribed  in  my  narrative,  and  my  impression  is,  from  all  I  can 
learn,  that  it  leaked  out  through  one  Yermillion,  a  'Union 
prisoner  who  was  acting  as  hospital  attendant,  and  learned  it 
from  Capt.  Skelton,  whilst  in  the  hospital. 


80 

It  is  clear  that  Mr.  Vermillion  was  possessed  of  none  of  the 
precise  details,  as  the  measures  taken  by  the  confederates 
fully  revealed.  How  much  Capt.  Skelton  told  to  Yermillion,, 
whom  we  then  regarded  as  a  trustworthy  loyal  man,  I  do  not 
know,  but  it  seems  certain  that  Vermillion  could  only  have- 
had  a  general  view  of  the  proposed  plan,  or  else  the  open  and 
active  means  to  redress  the  attempt  would  not  have  been 
employed  by  the  rebels  in  October,  to  quell  an  outbreak  to 
culminate  in  December.  I  had  hoped  to  receive  Capt.  Skel- 
ton's  statement  ere  this,  ho  having  volunteered  it  on  hearing 
of  my  arrest  in  Washington,  but  for  reasons  unknown  to  me 
it  has  not  yet  reached  me,  although  I  hope  to  be  able  to  file 
it  before  my  case  is  adjudicated,  having  not  only  written  to 
him  but  advertised  for  him. 

Again,  if  I  were  the  traitor  Gen.  Dow  insinuates,  would  I 
not  have  betrayed  the  whole  secret,  and  in  a  way  to  benefit 
the  rebels  ?  As  it  was  they  were  simply  misled,  and  we  ins 
no  way  injured.  And  yet  again,  if  the  arrangements  were 
only  nearly  perfected,  how  were  they  frustrated  ?  If  we  had 
no  intention  of  breaking  out  then,  in  what  respect  were  we 
damaged  by  the  untimely  demonstration  of  our  keepers? 
And  last  of  all,  what  was  I  to  gain  by  this  act  of  treachery  ? 
Men  do  not  sacrifice  all  they  hold  dear  for  a  whim.  Nor  will 
any  sane  man  abandon  name,  honor,  family  and  friends,  with 
out  some  compensating  benefit.  Every  one  they  say  has  his 
price,  but  I  have  yet  to  hear  at  what  figure  I  was  purchased. 
I  have  been  told  since  my  liberation,  that  it  was  reported 
that  I  enjoyed  unusual  privileges — that  I  had  thse  freedom  of 
the  City — that  I  was  hand  in  glove  with  Jeff  Davis  and  all 
the  magnates  of  the  Confederacy, — that  in  fact,  I  was  having 
an  unusual  good  time,  and  rather  liked  it  than  not.  If  to  be, 
cribbed,  cabined,  and  confined  with  one  thousand  others  in  a 
loathsome,  unclean  and  badly  ventilated  prison,  with  a  soft 
plank  for  my  couch,  and  half  rations  for  my  fare,  are  unusual 
privileges,  I  had  them.  If,  whilst  engaged  in  the  duties  of 
iny  position,  to  be  hurried  through  by-streets  under  escort  of 
an  armed  guard,  who  would  not  permit  me  to  make  the  com 
monest  purchase  in  any  store,  is  enjoying  the  freedom  of  a 


81 

City,  I  had  it  to  my  heart's  content  ;  and  if  the  strongest  in 
terest  could  not  avail  to  get  me  out  of  my  prison  for  a  few 
short  hours,  to  see  some  life-long  friends,  is  to  be  hand  in 
glove  with  the  dignitaries  of  rebeldom,  I  don't  think  much  of 
their  friendship,  and  trust  I  may  never  have  a  second  experi 
ence.  But  if  these  stories  have  ever  been  seriously  believed, 
I  here  pronounce  them  unqualifiedly  false,  in  gross  and  in 
detail,  and  challenge  any  one  to  show  the  slightest  advantage 
enjoyed  by  me  over  my  fellow  prisoners,  not  shared  in  com 
mon  by  every  other  member  of  the  committee. 

As  to  Col.  S freight's  plan,  it  was  not  at  that  moment,  nor  at 
any  other,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  fully  decided  upon.  Hash, 
impetuous,  and  opposed  to  everything  like  discipline,  none 
but  those  believing  in  muscle  and  a  free  fight  could  be  induced 
to  enlist  under  his  banner,  especially  as  many  of  the  really 
courageous  officers  in  the  prison,  men  like  Col.  Rose,  had  no 
confidence  in  his  courage  or  stability. 

But  apart  from  any  argument,  let  me  examine  Gen.  Dow's 
account  of  my  treachery,  and  how  it  was  received. 

11  Soon  we  learned  that  Col.  SANDERSON  had  betrayed  us  to 
the  rebels.  The  indignation  of  the  officers  was  very  great, 
but  it  was  finally  allayed  upon  assurances  that  there  wati  no 
•intention  of  communicating  the  secret  beyond  our  own  officers 
in  the  hospital." 

What  rose-water  rage  must  have  filled  our  baffled 
braves,  who  when  nearly  ready  to  emerge  from  a  ha 
ted  and  loathsome  prison,  would  permit  any  such  reasons 
to  stand  between  them  and  their  just  indignation  !  Assuran 
ces!  from  whom?  And  how  proven?  Had  an  avalanche  of 
my  injured  comrades  hurled  themselves  upon  me — one  man- 
under  the  influence  of  such  information,  and  torn  me  limb 
from  limb,  who  would  have  blamed  them  ?  If  an  infuriated 
crowd,  crazed  by  disappointment,  had  pressed  me  on  every 
side,  and  with  a  thousand  voices  rained  their  execrations  on 
my  head,  and  demanded  in  tones  of  thunder  the  causes  of  my 
base  action,  who  would  not  have  praised  them?  Had  a 
chosen  few,  high-toned,  honorable  men,  clothed  in  the  dignity 
of  rank  and  patriotism,  and  incited  by  virtuous  rage,  called 


82 

upon  me  and  wrung  from  me   the   only  assurances  to  be  re 
ceived  on  such  a  point,  those  of  entire  innocence,  who  would  not 
have    commended   their   moderation   and   patience  ?      Could 
every  officer  in  that  prison  be  placed  before  your  honorable 
Commission   and  be  forced  to  answer  on   oath   that    simple 
question  :    "  Did  you  ever  personally  charge  Col.  SANDERSON,  or 
hear  any  other  officer  or  person  charge  him  with  having  betrayed 
any  plan  of  escape  to  the  Rebels  ?"     I  pledge  my  soul  that  not 
one  of  them  would,  truthfully,  reply  in  the  affirmative.     And 
why  not  ?     Were  they  all  afraid  ?     Could  not  one  Bell-the-Cat 
be  found   among    so   many  heroes,  to   cram  my  treacherous 
tongue    down   my   recreant   throat?     Among  that   company 
of  a  thousand,  they  were  not  all  cowards  !     Hundreds  of  them 
had  "  sought  the  bubble  reputation  at  the  cannon's  mouth/7 
and  dared  "  do  all  that  may  become  a  man/'  but  they  did  not 
dare  do  that !    And  why  ?     Because  they  knew  it  was  a  lie  !' 
Unarmed,  sickly,  and  apparently  an  old  man,  there  was  noth 
ing  in  my  personal  appearance,  demeanor  or  antecedents  to- 
strike  such  terror  in  martial  breasts,  or  hold  them  in  shivering 
awe,  whilst  discussing  with  bated  breath,  my  damnable  sin. 
Nine-tenths  of    them  surpassed  me  in  agility  and    personal 
strength,  and  yet  it  does  not  appear  from  the  statements  of 
my  enemies,  or  the  admissions  of  my  friends,  that  this  charge 
was  ever  brought  to  my  notice,  save  by  one  person,  in   a  very 
cursory  way,  and  then  almost  under  a  pledge  of  secrecy,  with 
the  assurance  that  no  one,  knowing  the  brutal  source  wrhence 
it  emanated,  attached  the  slightest  credence  to  it.     Powerless 
to  act,  at  that  moment,  decisively  and  definitively,  I  was  forced 
to  defer  all  action  until  my  good  fortune  should  once  again  re 
store  me  to  my  own  lines,  when  I  proposed,  Government  per 
mitting,  to  afford  this  cowardly  calumniator  an  opportunity  of 
explaining,  before  his  peers,  certain  incidents  of  his  own  mili 
tary  life  and  conduct,  which  in  my  opinion,  required  elucida 
tion,  especially  this  most  flagrant  and  unsoldier-like  act  of  tra 
ducing  and  defaming  a  brother  officer.     That  it  has  been  for 
the  interest,  if  not  absolutely  for  the  preservation  of  this  person, 
that  he  should  spare  no  effort  to  crush  me,  admits  of  no  denial. 
A  long  continuance  in  error  and  wrong-doing  had  clearly  brought 


83 

him  under  the  ban  of  military  law.  Judging  me  by  himself,  and 
giving  me  credit  for  an  inveteracy  of  hate  equal  to  his  own,  lie 
could  not  but  believe  me  in  earnest  in  my  expressed  intentions  ; 
and  was  compelled  to  exercise  all  the  ingenuity  of  his  subtle  and 
tortuous  character  to  devise  my  downfall.  Suspected,  if  not 
openly  charged,  by  his  command,  and  publicly  denounced  by 
the  leading  journals  of  his  own  party,  of  a  base  and  cowardly 
surrender  of  the  troops  entrusted  to  his  care  •  and  conscious  of 
having  violated  one  of  the  clearest  and  least  disputable  para 
graphs  of  our  military  code,  nothing  was  left  him  but  trickery 
and  falsehood.  With  the  hope,  and  not  a  vain  one,  as  it  has 
subsequently  appeared,  he  sought  to  cover  up  the  disgrace  of 
his  surrender,  by  laboriously  sought  sympathy  for  his  suffer 
ings.  In  every  account,  industriously  circulated  throughout 
the  length  and  the  breadth  of  the  land,  harrowing  descriptions 
were  ingeniously  foisted,  of  the  sufferings  of  "  Streight  and 
his  men/'  and  so  great  was  his  anxiety  to  effect  this  result 
that,  where  ill-treatment  was  riot  willingly  accorded,  he  willfully 
sought  it.  Where  any  officer  permits  himself  to  speak  of  this 
man,  with  but  one  or  two  exceptions,  he  speaks  of  him  dispar 
agingly  ;  and,  in  but  a  single  instance  does  he  obtain  the  ad 
miration  of  any  one,  and  in  that  only  case,  the  compliment  is 
most  questionable.  But  Col.  Streight  mistook  me.  Appreci 
ating  the  demoralizing  effect  of  such  imprisonment,  I  knew 
that  many  animosities  were  engendered  which  rapidly  disap 
peared  under  the  humanizing  influences  of  freedom.  For  my 
self,  so  grateful  was  the  feeling  of  happiness  at  my  liberation • 
so  deep  my  horror  of  the  evil  passions  brought  to  being  in 
those  prison  cells  •  that  I  sincerely  desired  to  leave  behind 
me  every  sentiment  of  hate  and  revenge,  save  of  the  common 
foe.  And  even  whilst  there  I  was  as  ready  to  forgive  as  to  re 
sent  an  injury,  as  ready  to  offer  as  receive  an  apology.  The 
great  struggle  for  the  life  of  a  nation  gives  ample  scope  and 
verge  enough  for  the  most  contentious  spirit,  and  before  the 
grandeur  of  such  a  conflict  all  petty  and  personal  differences 
sink  into  insignificance  and  shrink  from  the  contrast.  With 
such  feelings  Col.  Streight  had  but  little  'to  fear  from  me  un 
less  compelled  by  duty  to  attack  him.  and  I  would  even  now 


84 

spare  him,  were  I  not  obliged  to  expose  the  cause  of  his  in 
tense  hatred  to  me.  As  to  the  charge  of  having  disclosed  to 
any  Rebel  officer  that  Streight  had  organized  a  plan  to  break 
out  and  capture  the  City,  I  pronounce  it  an  utter  falsehood.  1 
frankly  confess  that  I  never  believed  that  Col.  Streight  had 
any  plan  which  he  had  the  courage  to  carry  out,  and  if  I  spoke 
of  it  at  all  among  my  comrades,  it  was  in  the  way  of  a  joke  or 
a  sarcasm. 

But  enough  of  him  for  the  present :  his  ranking  officer  claim 
ing  my  attention.  Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow  states  that  "  assur 
ances  were  given  that  there  was  no  intention  of  communicating 
the  secret  beyond  our  own  officers  in  the  Hospital;"  and,  upon 
these  assurances,  the  "great  indignation"  of  my  fellow-prisoners 
"  was  allayed."  If  this  be  true,  it  is  fair  to  suppose  that  these 
assurances  whatever  they  were  or  by  whom  given,  were 
deemed  sufficiently  satisfactory  to  induce  the  parties  in  inter 
est  to  disbelieve  the  charge  and  receive  the  party  accused  in 
full  fellowship  again.  This  being  the  case,  wliy  is  that  charge 
again  revived  ?  What  right  has  Gen.  Dow,  who  was  not  pre 
sent,  and  Col.  Streight,  my  bitterest  enemy,  and  therefore  not 
qualified,  to  dispute  a  verdict  rendered  on  the  spot,  and  by 
those  most  competent  to  decide  ? 

I  think  I  have  said  enough  to  refute  this  most  baseless  cal 
umny  ;  but,  before  dismissing  the  subject  entirely,  it  will  pos 
sibly  be  expected  of  me  to  make  some  specific  denial  •  but  I 
can  hardly  bring  myself  to  the  deep  degradation  of  seriously 
stating  that  I  was  not  guilty  in  thought,  word,  or  deed  of  the 
atrocious  act  laid  to  my  charge.  Rather  and  better  might  I 
say,  with  old  Belarius  : 

<(  My  fault  being  nothing  (as  I  have  told  you  oft) 
But  that  two  villains,  whose  false  oaths  prevailed, 
Before  my  perfect  honor,  swore  to  Cymbeline, 
I  was  confederate  with  the  Romans  ;?' 

lest,  however,  some  carping  critic  may  urge  this  quibble  against 
me,  I  do  most  solemnly  and  unequivocally  affirm  and  declare,  by 
all  I  hold  most  dear  here  or  most  sacred  hereafter,  without 
evasion  or  mental  reservation  of  any  kind  whatsoever,  that  I 


85 

never  in  any  way  or  under  any  circumstances,  knowingly,  in 
tentionally,  or  willingly  intimated,  hinted,  revealed,  or  disclosed 
any  plot,  plan,  scheme,  or  intention  having  for  its  object  or 
result  the  escape,  flight,  or  liberation  of  any  one  or  more  of 
my  fellow-prisoners — officers  or  privates,  friend  or  foe,  to  any 
Confederate  officer,  official,  or  citizen.  And  I  do  also  most  sin 
cerely  and  religiously  believe  that  no  personal  distinction  or 
hopes  of  present  comfort  or  future  aggrandizement  would 
have  induced  me  to  forego  or  abandon  my  share  in  any  such 
enterprise,  could  it  have  been  consummated  or  even  attempted 
with  any  show  of  success.  To  have  been  the  humble  origina 
tor  of  so  brilliant  an  achievement  would  have  filled  to  the  ut 
most  my  most  sanguine  hopes  of  glory,  and  would  have  been 
the  proudest  heir-loom  I  could  have  bestowed  upon  my  family. 
There  yet  remains  one  other  charge  which  might  more 
properly  be  classed  under  the  head  of  disloyalty,  but  as  it  en 
genders  certain  feelings  of  a  personal  character,  I  have  re 
served  it  for  the  present. 

"  Col.  SANDERSON  was  constantly  defending  the  Rebels,  and 
justifying  them  in  their  treatment  of  our  soldiers,  averring 
that  they  were  properly  treated." 

When  Gen.  Neal  Dow  wrote  those  lines  lie  knew  them  to  be 
false,  and  when  he  proceeds  to  say,  "  Some  of  this  I  heard  on 
one  occasion,  and  interposed  with  the  facts  at  Belle  Isle, 
which  existed  under  his  observation,"  he  duplicated  the 
wrong.  I  have  endorsed  the  only  truthful  statement  in  his- 
letter — that  there  was  no  intercourse  between  us, — and  can 
recollect  but  three  occasions  when  words  of  any  character 
were  exchanged.  Once  when  I  made  a  demand  for  blankets, 
next  when  I  reiterated  that  demand,  and  last  when  about 
leaving  the  prison,  I  transferred  to  him  some  medicines  for 
distribution,  a  portion  of  which,  I  have  since  been  informed, 
he  brought  away  with  him.  Since  my  liberation  I  have  been 
told  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  talking  at  me.  If  this  be  so, 
'tis  pity  ;  he  had  his  labor  for  his  pains.  I  heeded  him  not. 

That  I  sometimes  contradicted,  and  corrected  gross  errors 
and  misstatements  made  by  the  designing  or  ignorant  is  true. 
A  good  cause  can  never  be  bolstered  by  a  lie  ;  whilst  a  bad 


86 

one  may  gain  by  the  misrepresentations  of  its  opponents. 
That  their  conduct  to  us,  as  well  as  to  the  enlisted  men  was 
cowardly,  cruel,  and  unusual  among  civilized  people  cannot 
be  denied  ;  but  their  wrong  does  not  justify  our  willful  error, 
nor  will  their  barbarities  excuse  our  falsehood.  Our  griev 
ances  were  many,  too  many,  but  we  weakened  their  force  when 
we  fabricated  or  overstated  them.  As  a  gentleman  and  man 
of  honor,  I  could  not  permit  my  silence  to  be  construed  into 
tacit  acquiescence,  and  when  an  egregious  error  was  brought 
to  my  notice,  I  corrected  it  as  far  as  I  could.  That  neither 
we  nor  the  men  were  treated,  as  alleged,  as  badly  as  we  could 
be,  is  evidenced  by  the  proofs  of  still  greater  barbarity  visited 
upon  them  since  our  departure. 

Requiring  no  personal  favors  from  the  authorities  of  the 
prison,  and  obtaining  none  other  than  those  inseperable  from 
the  necessities  of  my  position,  I  was  only  anxious  to  secure 
their  good  feeling,  in  order  to  influence  them  for  the  benefit 
of  others  not  so  fortunate  or  so  provident  as  myself,  and  that 
I  did  so  is  so  stated  by  many  of  my  companions.  From  long 
association  fully  cognizant  of  the  southern  character,  I  was 
aware  that  an  outward  courtesy  and  apparent  gentlemanly 
demeanor  went  far  to  win  their  esteem.  Accustomed  by 
years  of  experience  as  a  hotel  keeper  to  all  the  observances 
of  polite  society,  I  found  no  difficulty  in  assuming  a  role  by 
no  means  new  to  me.  Thanks  to  my  white  beard  and  my 
being  a  stranger  I  was  uniformly  treated  with  kindness  and 
courtesy  by  every  one  I  came  in  contact  with  during  my  cap 
tivity,  with  the  single  exception  of  a  difficulty  at  Culpeper 
when  a  crowd  of  citizens  and  Baltimore  roughs  proposed  to 
lynch  me  because,  when  charged,  I  openly  avowed  myself 
".an  abolitionist."  Carefully  avoiding  all  unnecessary  discus 
sions  on  political  subjects,  outside  of  the  prison,  I  never  hesi- 
ted  to  acknowledge  my  principles  when  asked,  or  defend  my 
government  when  challenged. 

But  in  addition  to  my  love  of  truth,  and  my  desire  to  stand 
well  with  my  keepers,  there  was  another  reason  for  my  con 
duct  of  a  peculiar  and  personal  nature.  My  wife,  with  whom 
I  had  lived  happily  for  nearly  twenty-five  years,  had  been, 


87 

during  the  earlier  portion  of  my  imprisonment,  gradually 
passing  from  earth.  A  cruel  and  insidious  disease  was  hourly 
sapping  her  life,  and  every  communication  from  home  brought 
fresh  tidings  of  her  decay.  Prime  among  her  griefs,  although 
racked  with  bodily  pains,  was  the  idea  of  my  sufferings.  Im 
mured  in  a  loathsome  prison,  and  enduring  the  horrors,  almost 
of  "  the  middle  passage,"  as  the  terrible  accounts  constantly 
published  to  the  world  gave  her  cause  to  suppose,  her  days 
were  embittered  and  her  nights  disturbed  by  the  thoughts  of 
my  privations,  and  in  the  very  delirium  of  death  this  senti 
ment  was  paramount  in  her  mind.  Knowing  the  sorrow  this 
produced,  and  feeling  how  causeless  was  her  anxiety,  I  en 
deavored  in  all  my  letters  to  dissipate  this  feeling,  writing  her 
ever  in  the  most  consolatory  manner  both  as  to  my  situation 
and  my  health.  Everything  of  the  brightest,  and  whatever 
of  the  ludicrous  could  be  found,  was  repeated  for  her  benefit ; 
but  when  serious  reflection  succeeded  the  pleasure  of  hearing 
from  me,  her  quick  perception  and  ever  watchful  love  would 
suspect  an  imposition,  and,  whilst  thanking  me  for  the  senti 
ment  that  dictated  the  action,  would  gently  reprove  me  for 
the  supposed  concealment  of  the  truth.  And  with  this  belief 
she  died,  ignoring  to  the  very  last  her  own  real  pains  to  be 
wail  my  imaginary  ones.  How  in  my  heart  I  cursed  the 
authors  of  this  unnecessary  sorrow,  and  how  I  despised  the 
strong  men,  who,  for  the  sake  of  an  ephemeral  and  factitious 
notoriety  would  whine  over  their  scanty  fare  like  gluttonous 
boys  or  soured  crones,  whilst  needlessly  racking  the  heart 
strings  of  dear  ones  at  home.  And  such  things  prate  of  their 
patriotism  and  vaunt  their  services,  seeking,  under  cover  of  a 
lie,  sympathy  for  unexperienced  sufferings,  and  recompense 
for  unendured  privations.  T$id  they  icere  not  all  so.  Among 
that  band  were  many  true  devoted  patriots.  Men  "who  had 
•"  left  friends,  business  and  comfortable  homes,  in  some  cases 
"luxurious  homes,  to  help  save  their  country  from  being  blot- 
•"  ted  out  of  the  map  of  nations,"  and  had  done  so  with  but 
little  hope  of  reward  or  expectation  of  promotion  ;  who  well 
:and  bravely  performed  their  duty,  and  only  asked  a  successful 
.result  as  their  guerdon.  With  sufficient  of  anger  against  the 


88 

deluded  fools  who  sought  a  nation's  disruption,  they  bore  no- 
personal  feeling  into  a  strife  which  was  waged  for  the  holy 
cause  of  unity  and  freedom.  Their  erring  brethren  were 
only  so  when  engaged  in  open  and  deadly  acts  of  rebellion ; 
and  although  too  proud  to  ask  a  favor,  they  knew  how  to 
appreciate  a  courtesy.  The  field  of  battle  being  with  them 
the  only  arena  of  carnage,  they  did  not  sheathe  their  swords. 
in  an  imaginary  foe,  or  kill  rebels  on  fools-cap  paper. 

"  True  courage  scorns 
"  To  vaunt  her  prowess  in  a  storm  of  words.'' 

For  such  men  I  had  not  only  sympathy,  but  assistance,  and 
I  can  truthfully  assert  that  no  one  of  them  ever  sought  me  for 
aid  in  vain.  In  many  cases  too  modest  to  ask,  or  too  proud  to 
acknowledge,  they  have  forced  me  to  pry  out  their  secret 
sorrows,  and  share  my  plenty  with  them  through  third 
persons. 

Under  these  circumstances,  and  thus  placed,  Brig.-General 
Neal  Dow  found  me  on  his  return.  Startled  by  the  dire  mis 
fortune  that  was  hanging  over  me,  and  forced  to  remember 
that  all  things  perish  here  below,  my  thoughts  could  not  but 
be  serious,  and  my  every  hour  tinctured  with  sorrow.  Dis 
gusted  Avith  the  frivolous  winnings  and  shallow  grievances  of 
the  empty-headed,  I  shut  myself  up  in  the  sanctity  of  my  woe, 
and  sought,  in  that  crowd,  to  be  alone.  Content  with  the  few 
real  friends  who  surrounded  me  and  respected  my  grief,  I 
neither  courted  nor  flattered  this  "little  great  man,"  and  to 
an  informal  request  to  take  him  into  companionship,  curtly 
declined. 

Unable  to  appreciate  the  true  sentiments  that  dictated  my 
conduct  to  the  enemy,  the  antagonism  between  him  and  myself 
was  instant  and  perfect.  He  had  never  read,  or  if  he  had, 
would  ne'er  believe,  that — 

"  Seldom  yet  did  living  creature  see 

"  That  courtesie  and  manhood  ever  disagree." 

The  slave  of  an  idea,  and  a  firm  believer  in  moral  suasion 
"  under  penalty  of  the  law,"  he  sought  to  stunt  all  man- 


89 

kind  011  the  Procrustean  bed  of  his  own  construction,  than 
which,  in  his  mind,  nothing  could  be  more  perfect.  Neal  Dow 
and  I,  I  am  proud  to  say,  can  have  nothing  in  common,  for  even 
l^is  virtues  so  resemble  vice,  that  the  timid  proselyte  shrinks 
from  them  in  awe,  and  takes  another  road.  Of  him  may  fitly  be 

said — 

"  He  was  a  man 

"  Who  stole  the  livery  of  the  court  of  Heaven, 
"  To  serve  the  devil  in." 

As  evidence  of  the  utter  dissimilarity  between  us,  I  would 
respectfully  call  the  attention  of  your  Honorable  Commission 
to  the  testimony  of  my  brother  officers,  and  in  every  case 
where  they  trust  themselves  to  speak  of  him,  it  is  couched  in 
as  contemptuous  language  as  regard  to  his  high  rank  will 
permit. 

From  one  we  learn  that  "  he  had  no  influence,  and  was  often 
the  subject  of  ridicule  for  those  who  forgot  his  rank  in  the 
general  misery  that  pervaded  the  prison."  By  another  we 
are  told  that  "  he  was  so  selfish,  domineering,  and  'old-woman" 
ish'  as  to  be  almost  universally  disliked;"  whilst  from  a  third 
we  hear  that  he  was  not  "  considered  any  great  honor  to  the 
uniform  he  did  wear — a  Captain's  coat  and  a  private's  panta 
loon's, — or  the  service  ;  as  evidently  his  'forte'  was  not  that  of 
a  military  man,  but  that  of  a  Temperance  lecturer;"  a  role  he 
filled  so  much  to  his  own  acceptation,  that,  as  a  gallant  sailor 
tells  us,  "  he  lectured  twice  a  week  on  temperance  when  even 
water  was  most  difficult  to  obtain." 

From  many  comes  confirmation  of  a  mystical  "  Black  List," 
in  which  were  noted  "  all  the  rumors, — of  which  the  prison 
was  full  at  all  times, — that  came  to  his  notice,  to  the  disadvan 
tage  of  Lieut. -Colonel  SANDERSON,  or  others, — the  former  more 
particularly," — -and  "in  which  he  was  so  anxious  to  get  some 
thing  to  write  down  that  he  would  get  into  an  argument  with 
some  one,  then  pick  up  what  little  things  the  man  might  have- 
said  unwittingly,  and  book  them  preparatory  to  a  settlement 
after  their  release." 

Truthfully  does  he  say  in  his  "  familiar"  letter  to  his  supe 
rior  officer,  that  he  took  "  great  interest  in  my  sayings  and 


99 

doings,"  and  well  might  he  offer  to  "  add  a  great  quantity  of 
similar  matter/'  when  all  his  days  were  employed  in  raking 
up  slanders  against  me.  To  picture  him  as  he  was,  with  cap 
on  sconce  and  pen  in  hand,  lean,  slippered  and  gowned,  shuf 
fling  from  circle  to  circle,  noting  with  curious  ear  the  words  of 
all,  and  inscribing  with  eager  haste  their  "  slips  and  falls,"  is 
far  beyond  my  limning  power. 

"  See  from  behind  her  secret  stand 
The  sly  informer  minutes  every  fault, 
And  her  dread  diary  with  horrors  fill." 

When  the  poet  termed  that  thing  a  woman  he  slandered 
the  sex. 

Turn  to  the  same  testimony,  and  note  how  my  time  was 
spent. 

From  all  you  learn  that  I  was  gentlemanly  and  courteous  to 
nay  comrades,  and  devoted  myself  to  teaching,  systematizing, 
and  organizing  that  department  most  necessary  for  the  com 
fort  and  happiness  of  all,  whether  in  or  out  of  prison. 

By  nearly  all  you  are  told  that  I  was  constantly  engaged  in 
ameliorating  the  condition  of  my  companions  by  advice,  by 
influence,  by  money,  and  by  the  necessaries  of  life. 

When  a  great  calamity  was  being  initiated  for  our  cause, 
alone,  out  of  six  hundred,  I  sought  to  convey  the  announce 
ment  to  my  Government,  and,  lacking  strength  my  self,  offered 
the  sinews  of  war  to  my  abler  associates.  History  does  not 
record  the  name  of  him  who  seconded  me  ! 

When  in  its  wisdom  our  Rulers  placed  in  the  hands  of  a 
then  highly  esteemed  statesman  the  power  to  release  us,  when 
in  his  judgment  it  could  be  honorably  attained,  I  was  one  of 
the  few  that  applauded  the  act,  and  upheld  the  weak-kneed 
and  despairing. 

Avoiding  political  discussions  with  our  enemy  as  unprofita 
ble  and  unnecessary,  I  never  hesitated  to  support  my  princi 
ples  or  defend  my  Government  when  the  one  were  questioned 
or  the  other  defamed. 

Called  to  fill  a  position  which  had  already  martyred  two 
ranking  officers,  I  performed  the  duties  of  it  to  the  entire  sat- 


91 

isfaction  of  my  friends  and  the  astonishment  of  foes,  private 
as  well  as  public  ;  watching  carefully  over  the  interests  of  my 
Government,  upholding  the  honor  of  the  service,  and  arresting 
the  demoralization  of  my  comrades — whether  commissioned 
<or  enlisted. 

Thrown  into  constant  contact  with  the  common  enemy,!  so 
carried  myself  that  I  won  even  their  respect  and  esteem, 
while  the  influence  gained  thereby  was  exerted  in  behalf  of 
•my  fellow-prisoners. 

In  connection  with  this  I  would  dilate  here  on  an  idea  which 
had  escaped  my  recollection  until  recalled  by  the  statement  of 
Capt.  Charlier.  Believing  that  much  good  could  be  done  to 
my  brother  officers  and  the  soldiers,  more  especially  by  any 
one  thoroughly  cognizant  of  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of 
prompt  delivery  of  our  letters  and  boxes,  I  sought  to  obtain 
from  my  fellow-prisoners  their  signatures  to  a  memorial  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  asking  that  some  one  who  had 
been  a  prisoner  of  War  in  the  hands  of  the  Confederates 
should  be  appointed,  whose  whole  duty  it  should  be  to  arrange 
and  supervise  this  speciality.  Gen.  Dow,  being  the  highest 
ranking  officer,  the  paper  was  presented  to  him  by  Capt. 
Me  Comas,  I  think,  for  his  signature.  On  learning  from  whom 
it  emanated,  "he  declined  to  interfere  with  the  action  of  the 
Government  in  the  premises."  On  discovering  it  was  suscep 
tible  of  such  an  interpretation,  the  idea  was  immediately  dis 
missed  and  the  paper  destroyed,  although  it  had  for  a  long 
time  occupied  my  thoughts  and  obtained  the  approval  of  many 
excellent  men,  and  has  been  since  adopted  by  the  General 
Commanding  the  Armies. 

Having  thus,  as  I  trust,  proven  the  negative  to  the  charges 
of  my  accusers,  let  me  trench  but  a  moment  longer  on  your 
time  in  displaying  the  affirmative  of  my  position. 

Starting,  as  it  were,  from  the  very  camp  of  the  enemy,  I 
was,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  a  Volunteer  both  in  "  men  and 
means/'  and  threw  myself  into  the  conflict  with  all  the  impul 
siveness  and  energy  I  was  possessed  of.  Skilled  in  a  special 
ity  which  has  for  its  object  the  preservation,  not  the  destruc 
tion,  of  life,  I  hastened  to  place  at  the  disposal  of  my  Govern- 


92 

ment,  at  the  earliest  and  most  opportune  moment,  the  benefit 
of  that  skill.  Anxious  to  serve  and  ambitious  to  excel,  I  la 
bored  late  and  early  to  prove  my  usefulness  and  the  value  of 
my  scheme.  Foiled  by  circumstances  over  which  I  had  no 
control,  I  wa»  forced  to  recede  from  my  lofty  aspirations  and 
start  from  a  lowlier  rank  and  on  a  diminished  field.  Com 
mencing  almost  on  the  lowest  rung  of  the  ladder  to  fame,  I 
gradually  ascended,  by  dint  of  labor  and  stress  of  time,  until 
I  attained  my  past  eminence,  than  which  no  higher  grade  was 
permitted  a  Volunteer.  But  content  with  that  position,  (as  I 
trust  I  always  have  been  in  every  phase  of  life,)  I  only  sought 
to  deserve  my  honors  and  fulfill  my  duty.  Stopped  short  in 
my  military  career  by  the  fortune  of  war,  I  suddenly  found 
myself  called  upon  to  assume  new  duties.  By  no  means  the 
ranking  officer  among  a  crowd  of  untaught  and  somewhat  in 
subordinate  comrades,  I  was  required  to  instruct,  discipline, 
and  command.  Somewhat  lacking  in  self-respect  and  the  rem 
nant  of  military  subordination  still  existing  in  them,  sapped  by 
those  whose  duty  and  position  demanded  a  better  example,  I 
found  myself  called  upon  to  direct  men  who  acknowledged  no 
superior  ;  discipline  officers,  who  regarded  no  discipline  ;  and 
teach  equals,  too  wise  in  their  own  conceit  to  heed  my  instruc 
tions.  Obedient  myself,  I  would  not  brook  the  contrary  in 
others ;  and,  when  forced  to  uphold  salutary  regulations  by 
severe  lessons,  I  did  not  shrink  from  the  responsibility.  To  im 
pose  rules  which  would  not  be  heeded,  to  give  orders  which 
would  not  be  obeyed,  becomes  neither  a  man  nor  a  soldier.  I 
claim  to  be  both.  And  yet  I  challenge  any  one  to  say  that  I 
exercised  my  power  with  partiality  or  injustice.  The  horse 
man  that  rides  a  restive  steed  has  bit  and  spur  at  his  command, 
to  be  used  when  necessity  compels  ;  to  employ  them  at  any 
other  time  is  tyrannical  and  unwise  ;  to  neglect 'their  assist 
ance  when  required,  is  foolish  or  cowardly.  Of  course,  I  made 
myself  unpopular.  Colton  tells  us,  "  There  are  two  modes  of 
establishing  our  reputation  :  to  be  praised  by  honest  men,  and 
to  be  abused  by  rogues."  I  have,  at  least,  achieved  the  lat 
ter. 

Subsequently  selected,  against  my  will,  to  fill  another  posi- 


93 

tion  of  responsibility  and  control,  I  was  brought  into  immedi 
ate  contact  with  a  class  of  men  who,  of  all  others,  most  de 
mand  firmness,  determination,  and  discipline.  Unaccustomed 

"  To  paw  the  ragged  multitude  with  praise 
"  Of  their  ingenuous  care  and  fervent  love, 
"For  preservation  of  the  Commonwealth." 

I  recognised  with  my  military  inferiors  but  one  language — 
that  of  command  ;  and  exacted  from  them  but  one  result,  to  obey. 
Seeking  no  office  and  asking  no  votes,  I  only  strove  to  fulfill 
my  duties  with  an  eye  to  the  interests  of  my  Government — 
of  which  I  was,  for  the  moment,  the  agent  ;  and   over  whose 
property  I  had,  for  the  time,  almost  unlimited  control.     Deal 
ing  with  beings,  many  of  whom  were  very  wretched  and  ap 
parently  lost  to  everything  but  the  most  animal  instincts,  and 
imbued  with  no  feeling  save  that  of  self-gratification  ;  regard 
ing  every  one  attempting  to  control  or  limit  their  desires  as  an 
enemy  ;    and  entirely  oblivious  of  subordination,  respect,  or 
esprit  de  corps,  I  was  compelled  to   awaken  in  them   the   dor 
mant  principles  of  military  requirements,  as  well  for  the  honor 
of  the  service,  as  the  reputation  of  my  section;  as  well  for  the 
security  of  the  good  as  the  punishment  of  the  guilty.     But  in 
doing  so  I  endeavored  to  act  with  as  much  kindness  as  was 
compatible  with  command,  and  require  no  more  etiquette  than 
was  perfectly  familiar  to  the  least  disciplined  among  them.    If 
I  erred  'twas  the  fault  of  the  head,  not  the  heart.  And  finally, 
when  called  upon  to  fulfill  the  letter  but  not  the  spirit  of  a 
promise,  with  but  limited  means  and  an  indefinite  imprison 
ment  before  me — ignorant  of  whence  the  next  dollar  would 
come — I  emptied  my  pockets  and  robbed  myself  of  subsist 
ence  to  aid  and  encourage  my  needy  comrades,  who,  with  all 
the  strength,  lacked  the  means  to  avail  themselves  of  promised 
freedom  from  galling  chains;  and,  strange  to  say,  assisted  my 
arch-enemy  himself  to  find  the  way  to  my  destruction ! 

And,  with  such  a  record,  I  have  been  disgraced,  dishonored, 
dismissed  !  Unheard  and  unheeded,  my  name  has  been  thrown 
to  the  four  winds  of  heaven,  and  carried  to  all  corners  of  the 
earth,  as  a  traitor — as  a  brute  !  Educated  in  a  school  that  taught 


94 

that  love  of  country  was  next  to  love  of  God — drawing  my 
inspiration  from  him  who  drew  his  from  the  very  Fathers  of  our 
Country* — and  sprung  from  a  family  that  has  been  honorably 
represented  in  every  just  struggle  our  country  has  been  en 
gaged  in,  from  the  War  of  the  Revolution  to  the  present  con 
flict,  I  do  not  choose  to  have  that  name,  (as  yet  unspotted  and 
unstained,)  classed  among  the  dishonored  of  the  land,  without 
question  and  without  trial. 

Well  did  the  poet  say  : 

"  Good  name,  in  man  or  woman,  dear  my  lord, 
Is  the  immediate  jewel  of  their  souls  5 
Who  steals  my  purse  steals  trash,  'tis  something,  nothing, 
'Twas  mine,  'tis  his,  and  has  been  slave  to  thousands  ; 
But  he  that  filches  from  me  my  good  name, 
Robs  me  of  that,  which  not  enriches  him, 
And  makes  me  poor  indeed." 

And  now,  gentlemen,  the   case  is  with   you.     In  my  own- 
unskilled,  and  awkward  fashion,  heedless  of  law,  and  asking 
only  equity,  I  have  my  tale  unfolded,  and  in  your  hands  rests 
my  fate.     If  three  years  constant  and  faithful  service,  risking 
life  and  limb  on  every  proper  occasion,  seeking  and  gaining 
the  commendation  and  approval  of  his  commanders,  and  the 
good  will  and  respect  of  his  brother  officers  ;  with  his  whole 
heart  engaged  in  the  contest,  and  no  aspirations  but  his  coun 
try  V  honor  ;  and  when  called  upon  to  act  in  an  unusual  and 
extra-official   character,  endeavoring  to  conduct  himself  with 
dignity,  and  service,  to  his  comrades  ;  and  with  regard  for  the 
honor  of  the  cloth,  and  the  interests  of  his   government  to 
his  inferiors — entitle  an  officer  to  dishonor  and  disgrace,  then 
am  I  fitly  punished.  But  if  devotion  to  a  cause  brings  desert, — 
if  attention  to  duty  demands  countenance, — if  zeal  in  a  depart 
ment  ensures  appreciation, — if  extra  work  is  entitled  to  extra 
pay, — if  a  thorough  fulfillment,  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  of  the 
duties  of  his  position,  and  a  zealous  regard  for  the   rights  and 

*  My  father  and  my  uncle  (who  was  my  teacher  in  early  life)  were  publish 
ers  and  editors  of  that  national  work,  "  The  Biography  of  the  Signers  of  the- 
Declaration  of  Independence." 


95 

honor  of  his  commission,  constitute  an  officer  and  a  gentle 
man,  I  would  respectfully  ask  jour  honorable  Commission  to 
examine  the  testimony  submitted  herewith,  and  to  search  my 
record,  and  decide  whether  reward  or  punishment  is  more 
justly  my  due. 

I  had  in  my  mind  one  more  word  to  say.  I  thought  to 
have  brought  to  your  notice  the  consequences  of  your  decis 
ion  on  those  who  bear  my  name  and  share  my  blood,  but  when 
I  reflect  that  the  babe  unborn  is  not  more  innocent  of  the 
crimes  alleged  than  I,  I  refrain. 

'•'The  purest  spring  is  not  so  free  from  mud 
As  I  am  clear  from  treason.'' 

If  I  have  erred  in  anything  I  am  man  enough  to  bear  the 
penalty,  but  if  I  have  done  no  wrong  I  ask  no  condonation. 
I  come  to  you  for  Justice,  not  as  a  favor  but  as  a  right.  I  am 
sure  you  will  give  it  to  me,  and  in  that  trust  I  remain, 

Very  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv't, 

JAMES  M.  SANDERSON. 


Official   Report 

OF  THK 

MILITARY      OOMMISNIOISV 

Selected  to  Examine  into  tin-  Charges 

AGAINST 

Lieut.-Col.    JAMES    M.  SANDERSON, 

MADE   BY 

Bri8>0en.  NE^L    DOW 

AND 

Corporal   TAYLOR. 


Office  MiKtary  Commission,  302  "H"  St.  cor.  17*7*, ) 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  May  19th,  1865.  ( 

10  A.  M. — The  Military  Commission  met,  pursuant  to  ad 
journment. 

Present  : 

Brig.  Gen.  JOHN  C.  CALDWELL, 

Col.  GEORGE  A.  H.  BLAKE, 

Capt.  GEORGE  H.  CALDWELL,  A. A.  G., 

Recorder* 

The  Military  Commission  then  proceeded  to  examine  the 
case  of  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  late  Lieut.  Colonel,  Commissary 
Department. 

This  officer  was  dismissed  the  service  by  Special  Order,  No. 
201,  Par.  32,  War  Dep't,  Adj't-GeneraPs  Office,  Washington, 
D.  C.,  June  8,  1864. 

He  asks  for  restoration. 


98 

His  case  was  referred  to  this  Commission,  by  order  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  Oct.  14th,  1864. 

The  Military  Commission,  after  a  careful  examination  of  the 
papers  in  the  case  and  of  the  accused,  respectfully  submit  the 
following  report  :— 

It  appears,  from  the  papers  submitted  in  this  case  to  the 
•Commission,  that  Col.  SANDERSON  was  appointed  a  Captain 
and  Comm'y  Sub.  Vols.,  September  7th,  1861,  and  assigned  to 
duty  with  the  late  Gen.  Wadsworth.  He  afterwards  served 
'with  Gens.  McDowell,  Reynolds,  and  Newton.  He  was  ap 
pointed  Ad.  A.D.C.,  with  the  rank  of  Major,  July  15th,  1862; 
•and  Corps  Commissary,  with  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
January  1st,  1863. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  1863,  while  in  company  with  Major 
Russell,  A. A.  G.,  First  A.  C.,  searching  for  a  ford  to  cross 
the  column  over  a  deep  and  rapid  stream  in  the  vicinity  of 
Middleburg,  Ya.,  he  was  captured  and  taken  to  Rich 
mond;  where  he  remained  a  prisoner  until  March  7th,  1864. 
It  was  while  confined  in  Libby  Prison  that  the  offences  for 
which  he  was  dismissed,  are  alleged  to  have  been  committed. 
'The  only  witnesses  against  him  are  Corp.  Wm.  A.  Taylor,  6th 
"N.  Y.  Cav.  and  Brig.-Gen.  Neal  Dow. 

The  statement  of  Corp.  Taylor  is  not  verified  by  oath,  and 
the  charges  of  Gen.  Dow  are  contained  in  a  letter  addressed 
to  Major-General  Hitchcock,  Commissary  for  the  exchange  of 
Prisoners.  Gen.  Hitchcock  reviewed  these  two  documents  in 
:a  report  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  recommends  the  dismis 
sal  of  Col.  SANDERSON.  He  was  accordingly  dismissed  the 
service  by  S.  0.,  No.  201,  Par.  32,  A.  G.  0.,  June  8th,  1864; 
amended  by  S.  O.,  217,  Par.  7,  A.  G.  0.,  June  23,  1864. 

The  principal  witness  against  Col.  SANDERSON  is  Gen.  Neal 
Dow;  and  attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  most  of  his 
charges  relate  to  conduct  that  did  not  come  under  his  personal 
observation.  In  fact,  Gen.  Dow  says  in  the  beginning  of  his 
communication  that  "  he  had  no  intercourse"  with  Colonel 
SANDERSON.  The  principal  charge  against  Colonel  SAN 
DERSON  is — 


99 

CHAIUJE  IST — Cruel  treatment  of  our  Prisoners  at  Bell  Me. 
Gen.  Dow  says  :— 

"  After  my  protest  to  Gen.  Winder,  against  the  cruel  treat 
ment  of  our  soldiers  at  Belle  Isle,  I  was  not  permitted  to 
visit  them  any  more,  and  the  business  of  distributing  this 
clothing  to  the  soldiers  (all  of  which  was  sent  to  me)  was  put 
into  his  hands.  Thus,  lor  weeks,  he  came  into  daily  contact 
with  the  soldiers  there;  and  his  conduct  towards  them  was 
•always  harsh  and  cruel.  Once,  a  poor  fellow  applied  for  some 
clothes — he  was  very  miserable  with  cold  and  hunger  :  SAN 
DERSON  said,  '  Damn  you — didn't  I  tell  you  if  you  came  again 
I'd  kick  you?'  He, 'then,  turned  him  round,  kicked  him,  and 
followed  him  with  repeated  kicks  ;  Capt.  Atwood,  16th  Maine, 
JLt.  Col.  Archer,  and  others  saw  this.  One  poor  fellow,  bare 
footed,  asked  for  shoes,  and  received  curses  instead  ;  Capt. 
Atwood  saw  this.  The  next  day  but  one,  Capt.  Atwood  saw 
the  same  man  brought  out  in  a  blanket,  with  feet  badly  frozen 
- — I  think  he  suffered  amputation.  The  Rebel  Lieutenant  in 
charge  remonstrated  with  SANDERSON,  for  his  harsh  arid  cruel 
treatment  of  the  soldiers,  in  the  presence  of  Atwood.  His  in 
tercourse  with  the  soldiers  was  always  with  oaths,  and  curses, 
and  bitter  revilings. 

"  Many  of  these  poor  fellows  he  caused  to  be  bucked  and 
gagged — and  this  to  half-starved  and  half-frozen  men,  who 
have  left  friends,  business,  and  comfortable  homes — in  some 
cases,  luxurious  homes  to  help  save  their  country  from  being 
blotted  out  from  the  map  of  Nations;  many  of  these  men  were 
•educated  gentlemen.  On  one  occasion,  (a  cold  day,)  a  squad 
of  men,  half-starved  and  pinched  with  cold,  came  out  for 
clothes.  At  the  head  of  the  line  to  be  served  first  was  a  sol 
dier  thin  and  blue,  curled  up  and  shivering — his  hands  in  his 
poor  apologies  for  pockets.  With  oaths  and  curses,  SANDER 
SON  demanded,  why  he  did  not  take  the  position  of  a  soldier; 
and  he  drove  the  poor  wretch  to  the  tail  of  the  line,  to  wait  a 
iong  hour  or  two,  as  a  punishment.'' 

Gen.  Dow  further  says,  "  I  have  written  to  Capt.  Atwood, 
at  Gardiner,  Me.,  asking  him  to  send  you  immediately  full  de 
tails  of  everything  within  his  knowledge  on  this  subject  with 
the  names  of  other  witnesses.'7 

No  communication  seems  to  have  been  received  from  Capt. 
Atwood  ;  at  least  none  is  contained  in  the  papers  before  the 
Commission. 


100 

Corp.  W.  A.  Taylor,  Co.  E,  6th  N.  H.  Cav^  in  a  statement 
made  by  him,  but  not  verified  by  oath,  says  : — 

"  Col.  SANDERSON  was  employed  to  deliver  the  supplies,  as 
sisted  from  time  to  time  by  another  Federal  officer.  He  was 
employed  some  two  or  three  hours  per  day,  for  some  three 
months.  During  this  time,  he  issued  no  provisions  at  all.  Col. 
SANDERSON  was  very  harsh  in  his  treatment  of  the  men.  Dur 
ing  this  time,  he  (Taylor)  was  with  Col.  SANDERSON,  under  his 
orders,  assisting  in  the  delivery  of  the  supplies  of  clothing. 
Occasionally,  a  man  or  so  would  come  out  and  ask  for  partic 
ular  articles;  and  he  has  heard  Col.  SANDERSON  repeatedly 
use  harsh  language  toward  them,  and  order  them  away — call 
ing  them  '  dirty  fellows;'  and  very  often  he  has  seen  him  kick 
them,  and  he  has  heard  him  to  order  some  of  the  men  to  be 
bucked.  The  men  were  suffering  very  much  from  cold  and 
the  want  of  provisions.  Col.  SANDERSON  seemed  to  have  no 
patience  with  them.  He  seemed  to  use  them  more  like  brutes 
than  like  men.  The  reason  why  he  ordered  them  bucked,  as 
he  supposes,  was,  that  they  had  sold  some  of  their  clothing  for 
the  purpose  of  obtaining  food.  A  considerable  number  of  the 
Rebel  guard  were  clothed  in  the  United  States  clothing,  much 
of  which  was  obtained  from  the  Union  Soldiers,  as  he  (Taylor) 
supposed,  in  exchange  for  provisions;  but  not  all  of  it,  for  he 
saw  Col.  SANDERSON  give  some  of  it  away  to  the  Rebels;  es 
pecially  did  he  see  the  Colonel  give  to  one  man  an  overcoat. 

"  Have  seen  Col.  SANDERSON  standing  with  Rebel  officers,, 
when  some  of  the  Union  prisoners  would  approach  with  their 
hands  in  their  pockets — in  rags  and  tatters,  and  Col.  SANDER 
SON,  instead  of  commiserating  their  condition,  would  seem  to 
make  sport  of  them,  and  order  them  to  take  their  hands  out 
of  their  pockets." 

In  answer  to  this  charge  of  cruelty,  Col.  SANDERSON  pro 
duces  the  testimony  of  several  officers  who  accompanied  him 
to  Belle  Isle,  and  saw  the  manner  in  which  he  treated  the 
prisoners. 

Brig*.  Gen.  Powell  says  : — 

"  While  in  command  of  the  West  rooms  of  the  Prison,  com 
plaints  were  made  to  me  that,  whilst  you  (Col.  SANDERSON) 
was  acting  as  President  of  the  Committee  for  the  distribu 
tion  of  clothing,  etc.,  to  our  men,  (prisoners  of  War,)  your 
treatment  of  them  was  inhuman,  unkind,  and  disgraceful. 


101 

""  In  order  to  ascertain  the  facts  in  the  matter,  I  obtained 
permission  to  visit  with  you  the  men  on  the  Island,  without 
your  knowledge  as  to  the  real  object  of  my  visit. 

"  While  there,  I  watched  your  conduct  closely,  and  do  not 
hesitate  to  state  that  I  witnessed  nothing  in  your  conduct  that 
would  in  the  least  substantiate  the  charges  alleged  against 
you  as  to  the  abuse  of  our  soldiers  ;  but.  on  the  other  hand,  I 
could  not  but  admire  the  prompt  and  systematic  manner  in 
which  you  issued  the  articles  to  the  men." 

Col.  H.  LeFavour,  22d  Michigan  Infantry,  who  visited 
Belle  Isle  in  company  with  Col.  SANDERSON,  January  22d, 
1864,  says  :— 

"  I  noticed  that  the  intercourse  between  him  and  the  men 
was  such  as  should  have  been  between  the  officer  and  the 
soldier. 

"  He  did  not  maltreat,  insult,  or  punish  any  of  them  in  my 
presence;  nor  did  he  use  oaths,  curses,  or  bitter  invectives  to 
wards  them.  I  talked  with  several  of  the  men,  and  one  in 
particular — a  First  Sergeant  of  the  5th  Michigan  Cavalry, 
who  expressed  himself  as  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  manner 
Col.  S.  distributed  the  clothing,  and  with  his  actions  towards 
the  men;  and  who  said  that  if  Col.  SANDERSON  had  kicked  the 
man  he  is  alleged  to  have  done,  he  very  likely  was  not  treated 
so  severely  as  he  should  have  been,  as  there  were  some  men 
there  than  whom  worse  could  not  be  found  anywhere,  and 
against  whom  they  were  obliged  to  form  an  association  for 
self-protection.  I  did  not  observe  that  Col.  S.  was  any  more 
intimate  with  the  officers  of  the  Island  than  his  position  would 
justify." 

L,t.  Col.  Frederic  F,  Cavada,  114th Pa.  Vols.  says.— 

"  I  was  selected  to  assist  the  Board  of  Distribution,  for  sev 
eral  days.  Col.  SANDERSON  issued  the  clothing  to  our  prison 
ers,  and  seemed  to  conduct  the  matter  with  great  order  and 
system.  I  afterwards  heard  him  accused  in  the  Libby  of  ill- 
treatment  towards  our  men.  /)n  the  occasions  when  I  was 
with  him  at  Belle  Isle,  I  did  not' see  him  kick,  strike,  or  other 
wise  ill-use  any  of  the  prisoners.  He  was  very  strict  with 
them,  but  never  in  my  presence  perpetrated  any  of  the  cruel 
ties  upon  them  of  which  I  heard  him  accused.  His  intercourse 
with  the  Rebel  officers  on  Belle  Isle  was  courteous,  but  I  ob 
served  on  no  occasion  any  evidence  of  disloyalty  on  his  part. 


102 

Lt.  Col.  Farusworth,  1st  Conn.  Cav.,  says  :— - 

"  I  accompanied  Col.  SANDERSON  to  Belle  Isle,  on  the  26th  of 
January,  1864.  I  did  not  see  him  ill-treat,  abuse,  or  insult  the- 
prisoners  there.  He  did  not  accost  them  with  oaths,  curses,, 
or  bitter  revilings;  nor  did  he,  to  my  knowledge,  buck  and  gag 
or  kick  them;  nor,  to  my  knowledge,  did  he  punish  them  for 
not  saluting  him,  or  for  not  taking  the  position  of  a  soldier. 
He  did  not,  whilst  I  was  with  him,  exact  more  respect  than 
his  rank  and  proper  military  discipline  permitted  or  required., 
I  should  not  think  he  was  more  intimate  with  Rebel  officers 
than  his  official  duties  or  proper  courtesy  demanded.  As  far 
as  my  knowledge  extended,  he  exhibited  a  proper  caution  in 
issuing  the  public  property  in  his  charge." 

JLt.  Col.  Jere.  Williams,  25th  Ohio  Vols.,  says  :— 

"  I  once  went  with  Col.  SANDERSON  to  Belle  Isle,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  distributing  clothing  to  the  prisoners.  We 
were  taken  there  and  brought  back  under  guard. 

"  He  conducted  his  business  there  systematically  and  justly, 
and  treated  the  men  with  kindness.  I  conversed  with  sever 
al  of  the  prisoners,  all  of  whom  spoke  in  terms  of  commenda 
tion  of  his  kind  manner  toward  them,  and  of  his  fairness  and 
impartiality  in  distributing  clothing,  etc." 

Major  J.  Harris  Hooper,  15th  Mass..  Vols.,  says  :— 

"  During  my  imprisonment,  I  visited  Belle  Island  once  with 
Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON.  I  never  heard  him  accost  the  soldiers 
with  oaths,  curses,  and  bitter  invectives.  I  have  heard  that 
Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  had  authority  to  punish  soldiers,  and  have- 
been  told  that  the  punishment  of  bucking  and  gagging  was  at 
one  or  more  times  resorted  to;  but  have  also  been  told  and 
believe  that  such  punishment  was  for  the  commission  of  some: 
grave  offence. 

"  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  certainly  exacted  respect  of  the  sol 
diers  on  Belle  Isle,  and  demanded  of  them  such  military  eti 
quette  as  standing  at  attention  and  in  the  position  of  a  sol 
dier,  while  addressing  him.  Brought  into  contact  but  once= 
with  these  poor  fellows  in  their  truly  pitiable  condition— 
among  them  brave  and  good  men  of  my  command — I  could 
not,  at  the  time,  heartily  sustain  Lt..  Col.  SANDERSON  in  this; 
course;  but  am  free  to  admit  that,  after  careful  thought,  my 
honest  conviction  was  and  now  is,  that  the  course  pursued  by 
Col.  SANDERSON  towards  our  soldiers,  although  at  times  seem- 


103 

ingly  harsh,  was  the  wisest  and  the  best;  and  I  fully  believe 
that  a  more  equal  and  just  distribution  of  the  limited  supply 
of  stores  sent  by  the  U.  S.  Government  for  the  relief  of  our 
soldiers,  was  made  through  the  rigorous  method  adopted  by 
Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  than  could  have  been  made  by  any 
other." 

Major  Win.  Russell,  Jim.,    A.  A.  G.,  who  accompanied 
Col.  SANDERSON  to  Belle  Isle  several  days,  says  : — 

"  During  these  visits  I  was  constantly  near  Col.  SANDERSON, 
and  saw  his  conduct  and  treatment  of  the  men.  He  was  ex 
acting  in  his  ideas  of  military  etiquette,  and  would  not  permit 
them  to  treat  them  or  his  orders  with  disrespect  or  imperti 
nence.  He  seemed  to  consider  himself  more  interested  in 
watching  over  the  interest  of  his  Government  than  in  cater 
ing  to  the  whims  and  desires  of  the  men;  and,  whilst  willing* 
to  extend  to  them  the  aid  and  comfort  in  his  power,  would  not 
overlook  or  pass  unnoticed  any  attempt  on  their  part  to  cheat 
or  deceive  him.  I  never  saw  him  treat  any  man  with  brutal 
ity  or  insult.  He  never  punished  any  one  for  disrespect  or 
insolence,  although  in  some  cases  he  would  perhaps  have  been 
perfectly  justifiable.  He  was  specially  severe  on  deserters, 
thieves,  and  men  charged  with  disloyalty  or  dishonesty;  but 
was  not  in  the  habit  of  using  oaths,  curses,  and  bitter  invec 
tives.  I  never  saw  him  kick  a  soldier,  although  I  heard  sub 
sequently  from  himself  that  he  had  done  so." 

Testimony  similar  to  the  above,  varying  only  in  form  of  ex 
pression,  is  given  by  CAPT.  EDWARD  A.  MASS,  88th  Pa.  Yols.  ; 
CAPT.  MARTIN  TOWER,  13th  Mass.,  who  says  that  "  he  (the  Col.) 
"  treated  the  men  with  all  the  kindness  possible;"  CAPT.  J.  M. 
McCoMAS,  9th Md.  Yols.;  Capt.  Ralph  O.  Ives,  10th  Mass. 
Yols.,  who  says  that  the  Colonel, 

"  By  tact  and  ability,  executed  his  difficult  task  to  the  satis 
faction  of  the  Rebel  authorities  and  the  United  States  officers 
and  prisoners  of  War.  I  can  say  from  my  own  knowledge 
that  he  treated  the  prisoners  as  an  officer  and  superior,  quell 
ing  riot  and  enforcing  regularity  in  the  time  and  manner  of 
distribution,  as  his  memoranda  and  accounts  will  show.  I  have 
also  talked  with  numerous  prisoners  who  were  on  Belle  Isle  in 
the  various  prisons,  and  have  yet  failed  to  find  a  good  soldier 
who  found  anv  fault  with  Col.  SANDERSON. 


104 

"The  deserters  and  substitutes  were  of  course  loud  in  their 
-denunciations,  for  to  them  Col.  SANDERSON  was  rude,  not  to 
say  brutal." 

Capt.  Eel.  A.  Fofoes,  C.  S.  2d  Div.  Cav.  Corps,  says  :— 

"I  accompanied  Col.  SANDERSON  twice  to  Belle  Island; 
found  his  conduct  to  the  men  correct,  but  severe.  He  de 
manded  that  they  should  be  soldiers  at  all  times,  especially 
before  our  enemies  ;  such  conduct  was  enforced  in  proper 
language,  and  no  man  abused. 

"  Some  prisoners  were  bucked  and  gagged,  for  stealing  from 
the  general  supply  of  the  U.  S.  clothing,  and  from  each  other 
in  camp. 

"  None  were  punished  for  non-compliance  with  military  eti 
quette  beyond  a  reprimand.  Supplies  and  clothing  were  de 
nied  to  such  men  as  were  supposed  to  have  taken  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  the  Confederate  Government,  and  also  for  those 
men  detailed  voluntarily  for  the  Confederate  shoe-shop. 

"  I  can  also  state,  that  such  men  as  were  refused  clothing, 
•etc.  byLt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  were  allowed  to  enter  the  depot  of 
•supplies  received  from  our  Government  and  the  U.  S.  Sanitary 
Commission,  and  help  themselves  ad  libitum]  no  account  be 
ing  taken  of  the  same  by  the  Confederate  officer  in  charge, 
also  no  United  States  officer  being  present. 

"  In  my  opinion,  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  used  every  means  at 
his  command  to  insure  all  supplies  (especially  Government 
property.)  being  properly  distributed  ;  and  should  be  com 
mended  for  having  Confederate  soldiers  arrested  for  stealing 
U.  S.  overcoats." 

Capt.  E.  McB.  Timoiiey,  loth  U.  S.  Infantry,  after  stat 
ing  that  he  never  saw  Col.  SANDERSON  abuse  or  maltreat  the 
prisoners,  says  :  — 

"  He  (the  Colonel)  did  all  he  could  to  inspire  the  men  with 
confidence  in  the  Government  and  hopes  of  a  speedy  ex- 
change." 

Acting*  Master  W.  E.  H.  Feiitriss,  U.  S.  Navy,  (Monitor 
sas  :  — 


"  I  was  present  [at  Belle  Isle]  with  him  on  one  occasion  and 
I  never  saw  anything  in  his  deportment  unworthy  of  an  officer 


105 

•of  the  United  States.  Our  men  were  much  demoralized  at 
that  time;  their  sufferings  had  rendered  them  entirely  careless 
and  Col.  SANDERSON  only  required  of  them  the  respect  due  to 
his  rank.  I  never  heard  an  oath  from  him  in  the  discharge 
•of  his  duties;  on  the  contrary,  his  manner  was  kind  and  court 
eous  to  all." 

A  similar  statement  is  made  by  1st  Lieut.  Thompson 
Leimig-,  6th  Penn.  Cav. 

'The  affidavit  of  Q.  M.  Scrgt.  Tol^nd,  is  accompanied  by 
the  following  certificate  of  his  character  by  Maj.  Gen. 
Meade,  under  date  of  Nov.  21,  1864:— 

"This  is  to  certify,  that  I  have  long  known  Washington  To- 
land.  Sergt.  9th  N.  Y.  S.  M.,  the  son  of  an  old  and  valued 
friend  of  my  family,  Henry  Toland,  deceased,  formerly  of 
Phila.,  recently  of  N.  Y.,  in  both  of  which  cities,  he  and  his 
family  were  well  known.  When  last  I  saw  Washington  Toland 
he  was  serving  with  his  regiment  in  the  field,  when  I  exerted 
my  influence,  based  on  my  knowledge  of  his  character  and 
services,  to  have  him  appointed  Asst.  Qr.  Master  of  Vols.  I 
believe  Sergt.  Toland  to  be  in  everyway  reliable,  and  I  should 
deem  trustworthy  any  statement  he  made." 

Affidavit  of  Washington  Toland,  Sergt.  9th  N.  Y.  S.  M.  : 

"  I  was  captured  on  the  7th  of  Nov.  last,  on  the  day  of  the 
battle  at  Rappahannock  Station — was  confined  on  Belle  Isle 
with  from  five  to  nides  thousand  prisoners.  I  know  Lt.  Col. 
JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  Chief  Commissary  of  the  1st  Corps. 
I  was  detailed  at  his  request  to  act  as  one  of  the  clerks,  to  aid 
in  the  issue  of  clothing  sent  by  the  U.  S.  Government  for 
distributionamong  the  soldiers.  My  duty  was  to  give  out  the 
shoes:  sometimes  I  issued  other  articles,  but  very  rarely. 
Frequently  there  were  no  shoes  to  issue  owing  to  the  difficulty 
in  obtaining  them  from  Richmond. 

"  I  never  knew  Col.  SANDERSON  to  refuse  shoes  to  any  man 
perfectly  barefooted,  unless  there  were  none  on  hand  of  his 
size,  or  the  applicant  had  already  been  furnished  with  them, 
and  was  suspected  of  having  sold  them.  I  was  engaged  every 
day  for  nearly  three  months  as  assistant  to  Col.  SANDERSON, 
and  was  never  absent  except  when  I  was  sick. 

"Col.  SANDERSON  took  as  much  care  in  issuing  the  clothing 


106 

as  if  it  belonged  to  himself.  It  was  impossible  to  give  the 
men  all  they  asked  for,  and  sometimes  when  the  stock  on  hand 
was  small,  he  would  refuse  it  except  in  extreme  cases,  on  the 
ground  that  the  applicant  had  already  been  served,  or  if  a 
strong  healthy  man,  because  others  were  more  in  need  of  it.. 
On  one  occasion  he  refused  me  certain  articles  I  desired  on 
that  ground,  and  although  much  annoyed,  I  was  forced  to 
acknowledge  that  he  was  in  the  right. 

"  Col.  SANDERSON  in  his  manner  to  the  men  when  drawn; 
up  b  efore  him,  was  short,  sharp,  and  decisive,  and  by  many, 
myseif  among  the  number,  considered  severe.  He  insisted  on 
their  approaching  him  in  a  respectful  manner,  taking  the  posi 
tion  of  a  soldier,  and  awaiting  his  questions  before  he  would 
permit  them  to  question  him.  I  never  heard  him  use  profane 
or  abusive  language,  or  saw  him  act  in  a  passionate  manner, 
except  in  cases  when,  in  my  opinion,  the  conduct  of  the  parties 
justified  it,  as  there  were  some  men  among  the  prisoners  who 
could  be  influenced  in  no  other  way. 

"  I  never  knew  him  to  punish  any  soldier  for  refusing  to 
salute  him  or  take  the  position  of  a  soldier  :  he  has  sent  them 
to  the  end  of  the  line  for  disobedience  or  impertinence,  there 
to  remain  until  the  last,  which  would  be  for  half  an  hour,  but 

not  longer.     I  have  heard  him  called  '  a  d d  son  of  bitch ' 

and  told  to  '  go  to  hell 7  by  a  man  named  Gavit,  and  another 
named  Blass,  both  of  whom  were  charged  by  him  and  by  the 
prisoners  generally,  with  having  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance  ta 
the  Southern  Confederacy.  The  latter,  to  my  knowledge  carried 
a  pistol  for  the  purpose  of  killing  Col.  SANDERSON  for  refusing 
to  give  him  clothing,  should  an  opportunity  offer,  and  I  firmly 
believe  such  was  his  intention.  Both  of  these  men  were  in 
great  favor  with  the  Rebels,  and  hated  and  despised  by  all 
the  prisoners.  They  would  endeavor  to  induce  men  to  attempt 
to  escape,  and  betray  them  to  the  rebel  Lieut.  Gavit  was  in 
the  habit  of  beating  prisoners  with  a  club,  and  Blass  once  shot 
a  man  dead  who  was  attempting  to  escape.  Col.  SANDERSON 
would  not  give  either  of  these  men,  or  any  Rebel  sympathiser 
an  article  of  clothing,  nor  would  he  allow  them  to  approach 
him,  and  by  persisting  in  this  course  exposed  himself  to  much 
insult  and  even  danger. 

"  Among  the  prisoners  confined  in  Belle  Isle,  were  at  least 
one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  most  confirmed  thieves,  villains, 
and  murderers,  ever  let  loose  on  a  community. 

"  Night  after  night  they  made  the  camp  hideous  with  their 
marauding.  The  Rebel  authorities  made  no  attempt  to  res 
train  them,  and  no  man's  life  was  safe.  They  would  rip  open 


107 

tents,  rob  the  inmates,  and  if  resistance  was  offered,  brutally 
murder  them.     I  speak  from  personal   knowledge,  and  can 
swear  to  at  least  fifty  robberies,  and  two  cold  blooded   mur 
ders.     At  length  this  abuse  became  so  unendurable  that  a 
number  of  the  better  class  of  men  under    Col.  SANDERSON'S. 
direction  and  advice,  organized  themselves  into  a  defensive 
police,  and  whenever  they  caught  the  raiders  in  the  fact,  beat 
them  until  they  were  powerless  and  then  brought  them  out 
side  the  enclosure  for  punishment. 

"  The  Rebel  authorities  allowed  Col.  SANDERSON  to  inflict  a 
light  punishment  upon  them,  but  never  punished  them  in  any 
other  case  except  at  his  earnest  representation.  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  always  told  these  men  that  he  regretted  it  was  not  in 
his  power  to'kill  them,  and  that  he  regarded  them  as  worse- 
than  brutes  or  wild  animals.  He  was  not  permitted  to  do 
worse  than  buck  them  for  one,  two  or  three  hours.  He  never 
had  a  man  gagged  on  the  Island.  I  saw  him  have  two  meiv 
bucked  for  selling  their  clothing  to  the  Rebels.  I  considered 
that  they  were  justly  punished,  and  their  example  produced 
a  good  effect  on  others.  He  was  very  severe  in  such  cases,., 
and  would  order  men  suspected  of  stealing  or  selling  clothing 
into  the  encampment  immediately,  never  permitting  them  to 
draw  again.  No  man  could  have  watched  over  the  interests 
of  his  Government  more  carefully  than  he  did,  nor  do  I  think 
any  officer  could  have  been  more  true  and  loyal  in  every 
particular. 

"  He  was  in  the  habit  of  requesting  myself  and  others 
privately  to  take  down  the  names  of  all  Union  prisoners  who> 
showed  sympathy  for  the  Rebels  or  who  accepted  any  favors,, 
or  employment,  inconsistent  with  their  obligations  to  the 
United  States,  in  order  to  expose  them  when  the  time  might 
come.  For  a  long  time  the  boxes  of  clothing  were  placed 
under  a  Confederate  guard  and  every  night  they  were  broken 
open  and  robbed.  Col.  SANDERSON  protested  so  strongly 
against  this  that  Lieut.  Bossieux  permitted  him  to  place  the 
clothing  next  to  his  (Bossieux)  own  tent  and  put  his  own/ 
guards  unarmed  over  it.  After  that  not  an  article  was  stolen 
except  an  overcoat  by  a  man  named  Gavit,  of  the  1st  N.  H.. 
Arty.,  before  alluded  to,  and  which  Col.  SANDERSON  traced  to 
its  hiding  place  and  obliged  the  scoundrel  to  give  it  up. 

':  I  heard  that  Col.  SANDERSON  kicked  one  man  for  stealing 
and  selling  clothing,  but  I  am  not  personally  cognizant  of  the 
fact.  I  do  know  that  he  lent  money  to  several  prisoners  on 
the  Island,  and  took  pains  to  do  little  acts  of  kindness  for  the 
men  who  were  constantly  making  demands  upon  him.  He- 


108 

'even  offered  money  to  men  who  did  not  need  it,  myself  among 
the  number.  I  know  of  his  loaning  money  to  private  Good 
rich,  of  the  13th  Mass.;  Saurman,  90th  Pa.,  an  old  man  of  the 
name  of  Haggerty,  and  others  whose  names  I  do  not  remem 
ber.  He  also  advanced  money  to  a  Sergt.,  named  Burns  to 
prevent  him  from  sacrificing  a  fine  gold  watch  presented  by 
his  mother.  He  also  disposed  of  some  wood-work  carved  by 
a  man  named  Clark,  of  the  61st  Pa.  Vols.,  and  other  articles 
made  by  the  prisoners. 

"  He  was  courteous  and   respectful  in  his  intercourse  with 
Rebel  Officers  and  was  always  treated  by  them  with  consid 
eration,  but  evinced  no  undue  familiarity  towards  them. 

"  This  course  enabled  him  to  obtain  some  privileges  for  the 
prisoners  that  others  could  not  have  done.  On  one  occasion, 
a  brute  named  Hegits,  beat  and  cruelly  maltreated  one  of  our 
men,  and  upon  Col.  SANDERSON'S  complaint  was  severely  re 
buked  and  his  victim  released  from  punishment. 

"  I  frequently  saw  Col.  SANDERSON  inspecting  the  kitchens 
and  reproaching  the  cooks  for  carelessness  and  filthiness.  We 
had  reason  to  regret  his  being  cut  off  from  visiting  the  Island, 
as  our  rations  were  reduced  nearly  one  half  afterwards.  I  did 
not  think  Col.  SANDERSON  was  justified  in  being  so  particular 
in  the  matter  of  military  etiquette  with  prisoners,  and  since 
my  release  I  have  not  hesitated  to  tell  him  so.  I  considered 
him  too  severe  in  his  manner  towards  the  prisoners,  but  in  his 
deportment  only,  in  every  other  respect  he  studied  their  in 
terests  as  his  own.  I  am  of  the  opinion  also,  that  in  judging 
this  question,  great  allowance  should  be  made  for  the  demor 
alized  condition  of  most  of  the  prisoners.  Constant  hunger, 
cold  and  sickness  had  caused  them  to  lose  all  respect  for 
themselves ;  they  were  helpless  as  children,  arid  his  severity 
towards  them  was  perhaps  a  real  benefit  by  restraining  them 
from  selling  their  clothing  and  injuring  themselves  in  other 
ways. 

"  He  did  everything  a  man  could  do  in  such  a  situation  to 
benefit  and  ameliorate  their  condition,  and  used  his  influence 
with  the  enemy  to  the  advantage  of  the  unfortunate  victims 
of  southern  cruelt}'.  I  do  not  wish  to  cast  any  imputations 
on  my  fellow  prisoners,  with  the  exception  of  the  thieves  and 
murderers  before  alluded  to.  They  were  a  brave  and  noble 
hearted  set  of  men,  most  of  them  captured  in  the  front  line 
of  battle.  But  human  nature  could  not  bear  up  under  such 
constant  prolonged  misery  and  torture.  In  many  cases  reason 
gave  way  and  they  knew  not  what  they  did. 

"  It  would  have  been  impossible  for  Col.  SANDERSON  to  give 
an  overcoat  to  a  confederate  officer  without  being  seen  by 


109 

myself  or  some  of  the  clerks.  I  never  knew  him  to  do  so,  or 
heard  him  accused  of  it.  I  do  not  recollect  A.  W.  Taylor  as 
being  one  of  the  assistants  in  the  distribution  of  clothing  ;  ho 
might  have  been,  but  not  for  any  length  of  time. 

"I  knew  Sergt.  Hill,  but  never  heard  him  speak  unkindly 
of  Col.  SANDERSON.  He  was  not  employed  in  distributing 
clothing,  but  was  generally  engaged  in  delivering  letters 
brought  over  by  Col.  SANDERSON,  and  in  hunting  up  the 
friends  of  the  officers  who  accompanied  Col.  SANDERSON." 

Private  Augustus  H.  Sum  man.  Co.  H,  llth  Pa. 
Vols.,  swears  as  follows  : 

"  I  will  certify  that  I  was  present  at  the  time  the  clothing 
was  distributed,  being  called  out  of  the  enclosure  by  your 
order  or  wish,  to  assist,  as  one  of  the  issuing  clerks,  in  its  dis 
tribution. 

"  The  men  were  called  out  by  squads,  and  I  can't  say  that 
you  were  unnecessary  severe  or  harsh  with  them,  demanding 
nothing  more  than  the  respect  and  military  etiquette  due 
your  rank.  I  never  knew  you  to  use  any  harsh  language  to 
any  of  them,  unless  they  were  known  as  the  infernal  thieves., 
robbers  and  murderers  that  infested  the  camp. 

"  I  never  knew  of  you  to  punish  any  man  for  not  saluting 
you,  or  approaching  you  with  their  hands  in  their  pockets  ; 
but  I  often  heard  you  reprimand  them  for  their  forgetfulness. 
There  was  an  organized  band  in  the  enclosure,  consisting  of 
cut-throats,  thieves,  and  even  murderers,  who  robbed  under 
the  name  of '  raiders  ;7  and  who  would  sally  out  at  all  hours 
(night  especially)  and  attack  and  assault  the  weak,  sick  and 
defenseless  with  their  billies,  knives  and  other  weapons  ;  and 
if  resistance  was  made,  they  would  blanket  and  rob  them,  and 
stretch  them  out  for  dead,  to  be  carried  out  in  a  blanket  to 
their  comrades,  which  caused  the  greatest  distress  all  over  the 
camp. 

"  'Twas  not  safe  to  go  out  of  your  tent  at  night,  unless  you 
went  protected  and  prepared  ;  and  when  the  fact  was  made 
known  to  you,  I  believe  you  did  your  utmost  with  the  Rebel 
officer  in  command — Lt.  Bossieux — to  severely  punish  those 
who  were  reported  to  you  •  and  I  freely  say  the  severest  pun 
ishment  that  could  be  inflicted  upon  them  was  not  harsh 
enough  :  hanging  should  have  been  their  doom. 

"  7Twas  well  known  that  many  of  the  prisoners,  after  obtain 
ing  clothing  from  you,  traded  it  off  over  the  bank  with  the 
rebel  guard  for  something  to  eat,  (as  hunger  knows  no  law,)' 


ito 

<md  oftentimes  would  ask  far  more,  alleging  it  to  have;  been 
-stolen.  I  never  knew  you  to  refuse  shoes  to  any  person  sadly 
in  want  of  them,  and  I  never  heard  or  knew  of  any  particular 
•one  having  his  feet  badly  frozen,  or  his  legs  amputated,  from 
your  refusal,  although  I  have  seen  a  number  of  poor  boys  with 
'their  limbs  terribly  frozen  from  the  exposure  we  were  com 
pelled  to  submit  to  by  our  traitorous  friends,  the  Rebs.  I 
never  knew  of  your  kicking  a  man  named  Berry  ;  neither  do  I 
remember  anything  in  regard  to  his  case  ;  nor  do  I,  in  my 
•opinion,  think  that  you  treated  the  men  more  like  brutes  than 
like  men. 

"  I  must  admit  the  circumstances  in  which  you  were  placed 
'was  enough  to  try  any  man's  patience.  I  am  not  aware  of 
stny  attempt  made  on  the  part  of  the  prisoners  to  deceive  you 
to  the  injury  of  my  suffering  companions,  although  you  were 
•obliged  to  exercise  great  prudence  and  care  in  the  distribu 
tion  of  the  clothing,  and  I  believe  you  did  issue  it  Avith  as 
much  interest  as  if  it  was  your  own. 

"  I  am  aware  of  some  of  the  prisoners  being  refused  cloth 
ing  by  you,  whose  false  hearts  led  them  to  side  with  the  rebel 
confederacy,  one  of  whom  I  knew  well.  That  was  a  Spaniard, 
Blass  by  name,  of  the  .2(1  N.  Y.  Zouaves,  who  took  the  oath  of 
allegiance  there  ;  also  one  by  the  name  of  Gavitt,  who  was 
accused  of  stealing  an  overcoat.  I've  heard  you  accuse  the 
prisoners  of  being  dirty,  and  reprimand  them  for  it ;  but  I 
must  say  that  the  fault  did  not  lay  with  the  poor  boys,  as  they 
were  never  issued  soap  wherewith  to  keep  clean,  and  I  doubt 
whether  the  dirty  sand  and  fire  smoke,  ground  in,  is  off  yet.  I 
knew  of  you  to  loan  the  men  money  as  a  favor,  and  to  do 
other  favors  solicited,  such  as  bringing  articles  of  food  and 
-comfort  from  the  officers  in  Libby  Prison  to  the  poor  starved 
boys  on  the  Island,  who  belonged  to  their  companies  or  regi 
ments  ;  and  I  also  knew  of  your  giving  funds  to  one  person — 
sin  Englishman,!  think, — to  keep  him  from  sacrificing  his  gold 
watch,  when  pressed  by  hunger,  which  I  considered  an  act  of 
kindness  on  your  part. 

"  You  appeared  on  intimate  terms  with  Lt.  Bossieux,  but  I 
•can't  say  you  were  more   courteous  than  a  gentleman  should 
have  been  under  the  circumstances,  and  I  believe  you  were  al 
ways  treated  with  respect  by  Bossieux. 

u  I  must   say  that  our   rations  were    diminished  after  you 

ceased   the   distribution  of  clothing  ;  'twas  never   issued  in 

quantities  sufficient  for  a  dog  to  live  on  ;  but  from  the  1st  of 

-January,  1864,  to  the  7th  of  March,  we  never  knew  what  it 


Ill 

was  to  gnaw  at  a  bone — corn  bread  and  bug  soup  being  our 
daily  fare. 

"1  knew  'Grus.  Taylor, — now  Captain,  I  believe, — on  the 
Island.  Knew  of  his  being  one  of  the  issuing  clerks,  and 
knew  that  you  would  not  allow  him  any  clothing  after  dispen 
sing  with  his  services  ;  bnt  I  am  unaware  of  the  charges  pre 
ferred  against  him  by  you.  He  acted  as  a  clerk  before  I  came 
out.  I  also  knew  Serg.  Hill,  and  I  never  knew  of  him  to  speak 
ill  of  you,  nor  any  other  of  the  clerks  employed  by  you.  I  also 
believe  that  much  of  the  clothing  was  preserved  through  you, 
by  placing  the  clerks  as  guards  over  the  clothing,  to  keep  the 
Rebel  guards  from  stealing  it.  I  was  one  of  the  guards  my 
self/' 

James  J.  Morgan,  Private  of  the  12th  Regiment,  West  Ya. 
Vols.,  who  was  captured  at  Winchester,  Ya.,  June  15th 
1863>  and  was  a  prisoner  on  Belle  Isle  until  December  27, 
1863,  says  :— 

11  During  our  stay  at  Belle  Isle,  clothing  and  provisions  were 
sent  by  our  Government  to  the  Federal  prisoners.  The  cloth 
ing  was  distributed  to  us  by  Federal  officers,  and  the  officer 
\vho  took  the  lead  in  this  matter  was  a  man  called  Col.  SAN 
DERSON — an  elderly-looking,  gray-haired  gentleman. 

"  He  required  a  punctilious  observance  of  military  etiquette, 
Imtas  far  as  I  could  observe  he  distributed  the  clothing  with 
strict  justice.  The  clothing  not  being  sufficient  to  furnish  all 
the  prisoners,  he  was  very  particular  in  distributing  it  to  the 
most  destitute.  I  witnessed  no  cruelty  on  his  part  towards 
the  prisoners.  His  conduct  was  strictly  military,  but  as  far 
as  I  was  capable  of  judging,  was  guided  by  the  principles  of 
the  strictest  justice.''' 

Lt.  Col.  Nortlicott,  12th  W.  Ya.  Vols.,  introducing  the 
statement  of  Morgan,  says  : 

"  I  am  personally  acquainted  with  the  said  Morgan,  and 
believe  him  to  be  a  reliable  man,  and  his  testimony  worthy  of 
full  faith  and  credit." 

Sergt.  Chas.  Petteys,  100th  N".  Y.  Vols.,  late  a  prisoner 
at  Belle  Me,  under  oath,  says  : 

"That  in  the  winter  and  spring  of  1863  and  1864,  while  a 
prisoner  as  aforesaid,  saw  and  knew  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  of  the 
United  States  Commissary  Dept.,  who  was  engaged  in  dis- 


112 

tributing  clothing  to  the  needy  on  said  Island  among  the  pris* 
oners,  that  he  saw  him  daily.  That  he  never  saw  him  guilty 
of  any  brutality  or  unkindness  with  enlisted  men  with  whom 
he  came  in  contact  •  that  he  enforced  discipline  •  that  he  pre 
served  regularity  ;  and,  in  the  opinion  of  this  deponent,  it  was 
because  of  this  very  discipline  and  regularity  that  the  lawless 
and  vicious  found  great  fault  with  him ;  deponent  knows  of 
certain  bands  called  raiders,  who  attacked  and  robbed  whom- 
soever  they  could  ;  that  to  this  class  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  was 
very  severe  ;  so  much  so,  that  the  practice  was  greatly  broken 
up  by  the  means  suggested  by  him  to  the  prisoners  there  con 
fined  ;  deponent  also  declares  that  he  never  saw  or  heard  of 
Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  kicking  or  striking  any  man  ;  that,  had 
such  been  the  case,  he  would  have  been  very  likely  to  have 
heard  of  it,  as  he  was  a  sergeant  of  a  squad,  and  moreover  was 
constantly  present  while  Col.  SANDERSON  was  giving  out  said 
supplies." 

There  is  no  evidence  that  Col.  SANDERSON  kicked  any  man, 
except  one  named  Berry,  and  the  account  of  this  is  given  by 
SANDERSON  himself.     His  account  appears  clear  and  consist 
ent,  but  is  too  lengthy  for  quotation.    He  says  :— 

"  It  is  the  only  event  of  my  imprisonment  I  would  care  to 
alter  ;  not  because  the  party  punished  did  not  deserve  that 
and  more,  but  simply  because  it  was  an  undignified  exhibition 
of  temper  quite  foreign  to  my  nature,  and  not  at  all  calculated 
to  raise  me  in  the  estimation  of  my  enemies  or  myself." 

Col.  SANDERSON,  in  his  "Answer,"  says  of  Corporal  Taylor, 
the  only  evidence  against  him  who  testifies  to  what  he  saw,) 
that  while  "  acting  for  a  while  as  issuing  clerk,  he  was  detected 
in  the  act  of  appropriating  certain  articles  of  clothing  with 
out  permission,  and  punished  by  a  return  to  the  encampment, 
and  the  refusal  on  my  part  to  allow  him  to  draw  anything 
from  the  general  stock." 

After  a  careful   consideration  of  all  the  evidence  on  this 
charge,  and  considering  the  fact  that  Gen.  Dow  saw  none  of 
the  ill  treatment  of  ®ur  soldiers  which  he  alleges,  and  that 
the  only  witness  against  Col.  SANDERSON  who  testifies  to  what 
he  could  have  seen,  is  a  private  soldier  who  had  been  detected 


113 

by  Col.  SANDERSON  in  stealing,  and  punished  therefor,  and 
that  even  his  statement  is  not  given  under  the  solemnity  of 
an  oath  ;  considering  also  the  number  and  character  of  the 
officers  who  accompanied  Col.  SANDERSON  to  Belle  Isle  and 
saw  him  in  the  daily  performance  of  his  duties,  and  who  all 
testify  to  the  order,  method,  promptness,  ability  and  efficiency 
with  which  he  distributed  the  supply  of  clothing  furnished  by 
the  government,  the  Commission  is  of  the  opinion  that  he 
deserves  no  censure  for  the  manner  in  which  he  performed  his. 
duties  while  a  member  of  the  board  of  distribution. 


CHARGE  2o — Misappropriation  of  Government  Stores.. 

The  following  is  the  only  evidence  to  sustain  this  charge. 
Gen.  Dow,  says  :— 

"  The  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission  sent  a  great  quantity  of 
supplies  to  me  for  distribution,  but  the  Rebels  put  them  into 
the  hands  of  Col.  SANDERSON.  Only  a  small  part  of  them  was 
distributed.  I  am  confident  that  a  part  was  given  to  the 
Rebels  by  SANDERSON,  besides  what  they  stole,  and  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  appropriated  to  his  own  use  a  case  of  egg-nog  that 
was  marked  for  the  Hospital." 

Corporal  Tayloiv  states  that  he— 

"  Saw  Col.  SANDERSON  give  some  of  the  U.  S.  Clothing  away 
to  the  Rebels,  especially  did  he  see  the  Col.  give  to  one  man 
an  overcoat." 

In  answer  to  the  charge,  Col.  SANDERSON  produces  the 
statements  of  several  of  his  fellow  officers,'prisoners  in  Libby  r 

R.  C.  Knaggs,  A.  D.  C.  to  Gen.  Baxter  says  :— 

"  The  distribution  of  the  Sanitary  Commission  supplies  was 
placed  under  the  supervision  of  Capt.  E.  A.  Fobes,  C.  S.? 
without  Lieut.  Col.  SANDERSON  being  cognizant  of  the  fact, 
and  I  believe  that  the  stores  were  distributed  equally  with 
the  exception  of  (as  I  have  been  told  by  Capt.  E.  A.* Fobes 
himself)  that  of  Col.  Di  Cesnola,  and  Brig.-Gen.  Neal  Dow  who 
received  rather  more  than  anyone  else,  the  latter  pleading 
destitution." 


114 

Capt.  E.  A.  Fobes,  C.  S.,  says  :— 

"  All  Sanitary  stores  issued  in  Libby  Prison  passed  through 
my  hands,  among  other  articles  Col.  SANDERSON  had  one  box 
of  egg-nog  charged  to  him.  Gen.  Dow  also  received  a  large 
supply  of  stores  and  gave  his  acknowledgement  for  the 
same." 

1st  Lieut.  Thompson  Leniiig,  6th  Pa  Cav'y-,  says  :— 

"  Capt.  Fobes  made  the  distribution  of  the  Sanitary  goods, 
and  I  know  that  he  was  just  and  impartial. " 

It  appears  from  the  statement  of  P.  H.  Copland,  President 
of  the  American  Dessicating  Company,  that  this  "  egg-nog  " 
was  a  preparation  of  eggs,  milk  and  sugar  without  any  spiritu 
ous  liquor. 

Hetoer  Le  Favor,  Col.  22nd  Mich.  Inft'y,  says  :— 

"  Of  the  other  stores,  [i.  e.  than  clothing]  I  received  quite  a 
quantity  through  Capt.  Fobes,  and  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  all  of 
the  officers  received  a  portion  of  them." 

Col.  SANDERSON  in  his  "  answer  "  says,  that  he  was  one  of 
a  committe  of  five,  and  was  specially  assigned  to  the  distribu 
tion  of  clothing  on  Belle  Island,  leaving  to  Cols.  Von  Schrader 
and  Hunter  and  Capt.  Chamberlain  the  exclusive  care  of  the 
prisoners  in  Warehouse  and  Hospitals,  and  to  Lt.  Col.  Boyd, 
the  entire  control  of  the  accounts.  A  copy  of  the  order  ap 
pointing  this  "  Board  of  Distribution "  is  filed  with  the 
papers  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  defence  and  is  marked  *'- V."  Col. 
SANDERSON  further  says  : 

"  At  first  it  was  intended  that  all  the  Sanitary  Commission 
supplies  should  be  exclusively  reserved  for  the  sick,  and  for  a 
long  time  this  intention  was  scrupulously  observed,  but  for 
reasons  which  I  either  never  knew  or  have  forgotten,  it  was 
suddenly  determined  by  the  other  members  of  the  Committee, 
during  my  absence,  to  divide  them  equally  among  the  officers 
in  the  prison,  who  would  be  expected  to  pay  to  the  Sanitary 
Commission  on  their  release  the  cost  of  the  articles  allotte'd 
them." 


115 

He  says  he  was  prepared  on  his  reaching  home  to  pay  for 
his  box  of  egg-nog,  but  was  informed  that  the  Commission 
declined  to  receive  pay,  and  he  therefore  spent  the  amount  at 
the  fair  held  for  its  benefit  subsequently  in  New  York,  and 
continues  : 

"  Like  every  other  article  of  luxury,  such  as  Condensed 
Milk,  Canned  Meats,  Preserved  Fruits  and  Jellies,  and  other 
articles  of  similar  character,  the  box  was  branded 'hospital 
supplies.' " 

The  statement  of  Corporal  Taylor  is  positively  denied  to  be 
true  by  Col.  SANDERSON,  and  is  contradicted  by  Sergt.  Toland 
and  private  Saurman,  whose  testimony  is  given  above. 

In  view  of  the  foregoing  testimony,  the  Commission  is  of 
opinion  that  there  is  no  evidence  to  support  the  charge  of 
Misappropriation  of  Government  Stores. 


CHARGE  3d — Betrayal  of  a  Plot  to  Escape. 

Gcii.  Dow,  says  :— 

"  Early  last  fall  we  had  an  arrangement  nearly  perfected 
for  breaking  out  and  capturing  the  city.  We  had  about  one 
thousand  officers  and  about  ten  thousand  soldiers,  and  were 
carefully  guarded.  Suddenly  we  saw  two  pieces  of  artillery 
planted  near  and  bearing  on  us,  and  some  companies  of  sol 
diery  stationed  in  front  of  the  prison.  Soon  we  heard  that 
Col.  SANDERSON  had  betrayed  us  to  the  Rebels. 

"The  indignation  of  the  officers  was  very  great,  but  it  was 
finally  allayed  upon  assurances  that  there  was  no  intention  of 
communicating  the  secret  beyond  our  own  officers  in  the  hos 
pital.  After  Col.  Streight's  unsuccessful  attempt  to  escape,  he 
was  put  into  a  damp,  dark  and  cold  cell  underground,  in  irons, 
and  supplied  only  with  corn  bread  and  water.  While  he 
remained  in  that  condition  Col.  SANDERSON  told  some  .Rebel 
Officers  that  Streight  had  organized  a  plan  to  break  out,  cap 
ture  and  destroy  the  city.  This  was  told  in  the  presence  of 
some  of  our  officers,  of  whom  Capt.  Atwood,  I  think,  was  one. 


116 

Lt.  Col.  Archer  and  Capt.  Atwood  were  often  with  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  at  Belle  Isle  and  saw  a  great  deal  of  him." 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  a  charge  so  odious  and  damning 
as  this,  should,  if  true,  rest  only  on  the  statement  of  one  who 
says  that  he  is  not  "  personally  cognizant  of  these  matters." 
Gen.  Dow  intimates  that  Cols.  Streight,  and  Archer  and  Capt. 
Atwood  especially  the  first  named  officers,  could  substantiate 
the  charge,  but  there  is  no  evidence  whatsoever  from  either 
of  these  officers  in  the  papers  submitted  to  this  Commission. 

There  appears,  on  an  examination  of  the  evidence,  some 
confusion  as  to  what  particular  plan  of  escape  is  alluded  to  in 
the  statement  of  Gen.  Dow.  Several  appear  to  have  been 
contemplated  and  discussed  by  a  greater  or  smaller  number 
of  the  officers. 

Col.  SANDERSON  in  his  "statement"  gives  a  clear  but  lengthy 
account  of  a  plan  to  escape,  which  had  grown  into  proportions 
from  a  suggestion  made  by  him,  when  it  was  proposed  to 
move  the  prisoners  from  Richmond  to  Salisbury,  N.  C.  This 
statement  is  corroborated  by  many  officers.  The  plan  appears 
to  have  been  as  follows  : 

A  few  brave  and  prudent  men  out  of  about  one  thousand 
officers,  were  to  be  selected  as  field  and  line  officers,  under  the 
direction  of  Col.  Cesnola,  the  remaining  officers  were  to  be 
recruited  under  the  seal  of  secrecy  as  non-commissioned  offi 
cers  and  privates,  each  Captain  selecting  his  company  from 
his  own  associates,  disclosing  to  each  as  much  of  the  plan  as 
would  be  necessary  to  insure  his  hearty  co-operation,  and 
willingness  to  drill  punctually  and  obey  orders.  A  map  of 
Richmond  was  obtained,  the  location  of  depots  of  arms  and 
artillery  ascertained,  the  places  of  rendezvous  of  the  Militia,, 
and  the  residence  of  the  principal  officers  of  the  Rebel  Gov 
ernment  noted. 

It  was  thought  that,  with  the  co-operation  of  our  forces  on 
the  Peninsular  on  a  given  day,  the  guard  could  be  overpow 
ered,  the  City  seized,  and  the  prisoners  on  Belle  Island  (10,000) 
released.  Col.  Streight,  it  appears,  thought  this  method  too 
slow,  and  with  a  few  associates  proposed,  without  waiting  for 


117 

cooperation  from  our  Government,  to  overpower  the  guard — 
at  that  time  Pickett's  Division — to  fire  the  City  if  strong 
enough,  and  take  the  chances  of  escaping  to  the  Union  lines. 
Whilst  the  officers  were  discussing  the  merits  of  this  scheme 
of  Streight's,  the  extra  force  and  guards  spoken  of  in  General 
Dow's  communication  was  observed,  and  the  officers  apprised 
that  a  plan  of  escape  had  been  betrayed  to  the  rebels.  Some 
of  the  enemies  of  Col.  SANDERSON  charged  him  with  being  the 
traitor,  not  openly,  but  in  his  absence,  and  behind  his  back. 
It  will  appear  from  the  above,  that  no  plan  of  escape  had  been 
fully  decided  upon,  but  that  certain  plans  were  under  discus 
sion, — that  the  rebels  were  not  definitely  informed  of  the  de 
tails  of  the  plot,  as  all  extra  guards  were  withdrawn  after  two 
days  ;  and,  as  far  as  appears,  any  plan  of  escape  that  would 
have  received  the  hearty  co-operation  of  all  the  officers,  would 
have  been  as  likely  to  succeed  after  the  betrayal  as  before,. 
This  consideration,  however,  would  not  in  the  least  diminish 
the  turpitude  of  an  officer  who  would  so  basely  betray  his 
comrades. 

It  appears  from  the  evidence,  that  while  these  plans  ot 
escape  were  under  discussion,  Col.  SANDERSON  was  taken 
sick  and  sent  to  Hospital,  and  while  there  conversed  on  the 
subject  of  the  escape  with  Colonels  Powells  and  Nichols,  and 
Captains  Fisher  and  Skelton.  From  the  communication  of 
Capt.  Skelton,  it  will  be  seen  precisely  who  it  was  that  be 
trayed  the  plan  of  escape  : 

Capt.  Skelton  says— 

"  I  became  acquainted  with  Lt.-Colonel  JAMES  SANDERSON 
in  the  month  of  July,  1863,  in  the  Prison  Hospital.  I  was  in 
troduced  to  him  by  Brig.-General  Charles  K.  Graham,  then 
a  prisoner  and  wounded,  lying  in  the  Hospital,  Lt.-Colonel 
SANDERSON  being  brought  there  sick.  This,  I  believe,  was  in 
the  month  of  October,  1863.  He  was  not  confined  to  bed,  but 
moved  about  in  the  Hospital,  and  played  and  acted  more  the 
part  of  a  nurse  than  a  sick  man.  He  was  continually  helping 
and  attending  to  the  wants  of  the  wounded  soldiers  and  offi 
cers,  frequently  giving  them  sums  of  money  to  purchase  such 
luxuries  as  their  appetites  might  crave.  I  never  saw  Colonel 


118 

SANDERSON  in  conversation  with  any  of  the  rebel  officers  in 
the  Hospital.  T  never  heard  any  of  my  fellow-prisoners  say 
the  same,  and  I  do  not  think  while  there  in  the  Hospital  that 
he  ever  visited  the  Surgeon's  office  ;  if  he  had  visited  there,, 
he  would  have  had  to  pass  down  by  my  bed  ;  this  I  never  saw 
him  do.  The  Prison  Hospital  attendants  were  Federal  pris 
oners,  some  prisoners  of  war  and  some  citizen  prisoners,  such  as 
sutlers,  quartermasters,  clerks,  &c.  Whilst  he  was  in  Prison 
Hospital,  I  had  frequent  conversations  with  Lt.-Col.  JAMES  M.. 
SANDERSON,  in  one  of  which  he  mentioned  to  me  of  a  plot 
among  the  Federal  prisoners  to  escape  en  masse  by  striking 
down  the  guards,  seizing  the  Richmond  Arsenal,  releasing  the? 
Federal  prisoners  on  Belle  Isle  and  other  parts  of  the  City,, 
some  15,000  strong.  He  spoke  encouragingly  of  the  plan,  and 
thought  if  there  would  be  a  unity  of  action  among  the  Fed* 
eral  officers  that  it  would  meet  with  success.  He  also  stated 
that  Major-General  Dix,  then  in  command  of  the  Union  forces 
at  Fortress  Monroe,  knew  of  the  plan,  and  at  the  given  time, 
would  co-operate  with  us  with  the  forces  under  his  command.. 
At  this  time  there  was  an  attendant  in  the  Hospital  by  the, 
name  of  Win.  L.  Vermillion,  a  citizen  prisoner,  who  was  cap 
tured  on  the  Mississippi  River,  on  the  third  day  of  May,  1863.. 
I  knew  him  before  his  capture  in  Keokuk,  Iowa.  When  I 
heard  of  his  being  a  prisoner  in  Richmond,  I  interceded  in  his 
behalf,  and  succeeded  in  getting  him  detailed  as  nurse  in  the 
Prison  Hospital.  I  at  that  time  had  every  confidence  in  him 
as  a  loyal  man,  believing  him  to  be  such,  and  thinking  that  no^ 
person  who  had  suffered  imprisonment  by  the  Richmond  offi 
cials  could  be  anything  else  but  loyal  to  the  Federal  Govern 
ment. 

"  I  revealed  to  him  this  plot  on  the  part  of  the  Federal  offi 
cers  to  escape,  as  Lt.-Col.  SANDERSON  did  to  me,  soon  after  Lt.- 
Col.  SANDERSON  left  the  Prison  Hospital  for  the  officer's  quar 
ters.  There  were  two  officers  made  their  escape  from  the 
Prison  Hospital,  WTm.  L.  Vermillion  at  that  time  being  allowed 
to  pass  from  the  officers7  Prison  Hospital  to  another  Prison 
Hospital  occupied  by  enlisted  Federal  prisoners,  he  usually 
going  in  company  with  a  rebel  soldier,  the  distance  being  a 
little  more  than  one  block.  While  passing  from  one  hospital 
to  the  other  he  met  these  two  officers — Major  Hewrston,  I 
think,  of  the  133d  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  Lieut.  Von  WTilson,  of  the 
llth  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  they  just  having  made  their  escape  from 
the  prison  disguised  in  rebel  uniform.  On  his  return  to  the 
officers'  Hospital,  he  reported  the  escape  of  these  two  officers 
to  the  rebel  Surgeon  in  my  hearing,  he  being  in  the  Dispen- 


119 

sary  and  only  a  board  partition  between  us.  I  could  hear  alt 
that  passed  between  them  very  distinctly.  After  the  escape 
of  these  two  officers,  the  Federal  sick  and  wounded  officers  were 
taken  back  to  the  prison  as  a  punishment  for  the  escape  of 
the  two  officers,  the  next  morning  after  the  escape  was  made. 
'  I  never  saw  Wm.  L.  Vermillion  after  we  were  taken  back 
to  the  prison,  he  being  released  and  sent  North  by  the  rebel 
authorities  soon  afterwards.  After  he  had  gone,  while  in  con 
versation  writh  the  rebel  Surgeon  in  regard  to  the  escape  of 
these  two  officers,  I  mentioned  to  him  that  I  overheard  Ver 
million  report  the  same  to  him  •  he  also  told  me  he  reported 
to  Brig.-General  Winder,  Commissary  General  of  Prisoners, 
the  following  day,  of  the  contemplated  plan  of  the  Federal  offi 
cers  and  prisoners  of  war  to  escape  en  masse. 

"  I  was  also  informed  the  same  by  the  rebel  Hospital  Stew 
ard,  who  stated  that  General  Winder  promised  him  his  release 
for  the  information  as  regards  this  plot.  After  my  escape,  on 
my  arrival  in  Washington,  I  published  an  account  of  Wm.  L.. 
Vermillion's  revealing  this  plot,  in  the  N.  Y.  Herald  of  Dec. 
20th,  1863.  I  also  stated  the  facts  verbally  to  the  Secretary 
of  War." 

That  Col.  SANDERSON  was  not  generally  believed  to  have, 
betrayed  his  comrades,  will  appear  from  the  evidence  of  the 
following  officers  : 

Col.  Le  Favor  says— 

"  I  heard  many  persons  state  that  they  considered  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  one  amongst  others  that  disclosed  the  plan,  but  I  have 
not  heard  of  or  seen  one  that  could  prove  that  such  was  the 
case,  or  one  that  would  openly  charge  him  with  the  guilt.  On 
the  contrary,  I  have  heard  as  many  state  that  they  could  not 
believe  him  guilty  of  such  a  crime,  and  from  my  knowledge  of 
him  I  am  led  to  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  impossible  for 
him  to  do  such  a  mean  act  as  to  betray  a  fellow-prisoner,  a 
soldier  of  the  United  States." 

Lieut.  Col.  Williams  says— 

"  He  was  at  one  time  charged  by  somebody  with  disclosing 
to  the  rebels  a  plan  to  escape.  Some  excitement  ensued,  when 
the  charge  was  circulated,  and  a  meeting  was  called  by  some 
person  or  persons  to  take  action  in  regard  to  it.  Some  of  his 
enemies  had  prepared  resolutions  in  advance  to  be  passed  by 


120 

the  meeting,  but,  after  diligent  investigation,  no  shadow  of 
evidence  could  be  found  to  justify  them,  and  the  meeting  ad 
journed,  the  general  impression  prevailing  that  the  charge 
was  malicious,  and  had  been  trumped  up  or  manufactured  by 
•some  of  his  squad  of  enemies  to  injure  him  in  the  estimation 
of  his  fellow-prisoners." 

Several  officers  allude  to  the  meeting  mentioned  above,  in 
••similar  language. 

€apt.  H.  Reese  Whiting  says— 

*•"  I  knew  of  the  McKee  meeting  in  the  prison  ;  at  its  close, 
many  who  had  been  enemies  of  Col.  SANDERSON  were  his  firm 
and  steadfast  friend  The  meeting  was  called,  Col.  SANDERSON 
was  absent,  and  the  affair  was  considered  as  a  mean  and  das 
tardly  attack  upon  an  absent  officer." 

Major  John  E.  Clark  says— 

"  I  remember  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  middle  room  some 
time  in  the  month  of  January,  at  which  I  was  told  some 
^charge  had  been  brought  against  Col.  SANDERSON,  I  think 
in  his  absence  from  the  building,  but  I  heard  a  considerable 
number  of  gentlemen  of  unquestioned  loyalty  (some  among 
them  by  no  means  friendly  to  Col.  S.)  speak  of  it  as  a  disgrace 
to  all  who  were  active  in  it.  Such  was  also  my  opinion  from 
what  I  could  gather  of  the  course  there  taken.  I  am  not  aware 
that  those  bringing  charges  against  Col.  SANDERSON  on  that 
occasion,  ever  brought  any  sufficient  proof  to  substantiate 
them,  though  I  think  they  were  invited  to  do  so,  if  they 
could." 

Major  Wm.  Riissel,  Jr.,  says — 

"About  the  15th  of  January  an  incident  occurred  which 
gave  Col.  SANDERSON'S  enemies  an  opportunity  to  display 
themselves.  A  meeting  was  called  without  specifying  the  ob 
ject,  and  when  convened  it  was  found  to  be  for  the  purpose  of 
condemning  Col.  SANDERSON  for  the  perpetration  of  certain 
•offences,  of  which  proofs,  when  called  for,  were  not  forthcoming. 
This  attempt  to  destroy  an  officer's  character  was  so  bare 
faced,  so  contemptible,  and  so  cowardly  (Col.  S.  being  absent,) 
that  a  reaction  took  place  and  produced  a  more  kindly  feeling 
towards  the  Colonel  than  had  existed  during  his  imprison 
ment." 


121 

Surgeon  A.  W.  Whitney  says— 

"  I  have  heard  both  Col.  SANDERSON  and  Col  Streight  accused 
of  having  divulged  this  plot  to  the  enemy,  the  former  by  talk 
ing  about  the  plans  to  his  brother  officers  before  one  of  the 
nurses  of  the  hospital— the  latter  by  sending  a  threatening 
message  to  Major  Turner,  the  Commandant  of  the  Prison,  say 
ing,  '  Tell  Turner  he'll  be  d d  glad  to  see  me,  and  that  be 
fore  long  •'  but  I  do  not  believe  that  either  of  these  gentlemen 
would  intentionally  stoop  so  low  as  to  betray  the  plans  of  their 
fellow-prisoners. " 

Lieut.  Col.  A.  F.  Rogers  says— 

"  Col.  SANDERSON  was  accused  by  some  of  the  officious  of  be 
traying  a  plan  of  escape  to  the  rebels.  It  was  not  believed  by 
the  better  class  of  officers.  I  do  not  know  by  whom  this 
charge  was  originated.  I  never  heard  of  any  one  charging 
Col.  SANDERSON  with  the  act  to  his  face,  or  willing  to  substan 
tiate  the  charge  by  the  slightest  attempt  at  evidence." 

Lt.  Col.  John  Henry  says : 

"He  (Col.  SANDERSON)  was  accused  of  betraying  a  plan  to 
escape,  but  no  one  ever  had  the  effrontry  to  make  the  charge 
directly  to  him,  and  when  sifted  out  it  had  no  foundation." 

Col.  Thomas  E.  Rose  says  : 

"  I  have  heard  him  charged  with  having  betrayed  a  plan  of 
escape  to  the  rebels,  but  this  charge  was  perfectly  groundless. 
It  emanated  from  one  or  two  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  enemies, 
who  apparently  did  not  hesitate  at  saying  anything,  whether 
true  or  false,  against  any  one  they  disliked, 

Lt.  Col.  F.  F.  Cavada  says : 

"  I  heard  something  of  a  plan  to  escape  having  been  be 
trayed  to  the  rebel  authorities  by  Col.  SANDERSON.  As  far  as 
I  know  this  did  not  extend  beyond  conjecture.  I  was  then 
adverse  to  the  opinion  entertained  by  some  of  the  prisoners 
that  so  base  an  act  could  have  been  perpetrated  by  any  officer 
wearing  the  uniform  of  the  United  States.  I  have  never  seen 
anything  since  in  the  conduct  of  Col.  SANDERSON  to  warrant 
this  accusation  against  his  loyalty.  Col.  SANDERSON  had  many 
enemies  in  the  prison,  and  such  a  report  concerning  him  was 
calculated  to  obtain  credence  in  numerous  quarters.  I  heard 


122 

the  above  charge  repeatedly  made  against  Col.  SANDERSON,  but 
no  substantial  evidence  in  support  of  it  ever  came  to  my 
knowledge." 

There  is  testimony  from  several  other  officers  to  the  same 
effect. 

It  appears  from  a  careful  review  of  all  the  evidence  on  this 
charge  that  among  the  large  number  of  officers  (over  one  thous 
and  confined  at  Richmond,  various  plans  of  escape  were  discuss 
ed  and  two  more  or  less  matured.  There  was  a  want  of  unanimi 
ty  and  hearty  co-operation  in  any  definite  plan  ;  that  which 
was  deemed  practicable  and  prudent  by  some,  being  charac 
terized  as  being  mad  and  foolhardy  by  others.  Jealousies  and 
rivalries  were  common,  and  the  most  absurd  rumors  obtained 
a  ready  credence.  It  was  while  plans  to  escape  were  being 
most  actively  discussed,  that  Col.  SANDERSON  was  taken  sick 
and  carried  to  the  hospital.  A  day  or  two  after  his  return  from 
the  hospital  the  extra  guards  were  placed  around  the  prison,  and 
the  conviction  obtained  ground  among  the  prisoners  that  they 
had  been  betrayed.  Some  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  enemies  accused 
him  of  the  crime,  and  the  charge  was  busily  circulated.  It 
seems  that  no  attempt  was  ever  made  to  substantiate  the 
charge  by  evidence,  nor  was  its  truth  generally  believed  by 
the  better  class  of  officers.  The  statement  of  Capt.  Skelton, 
given  above,  shows  precisely  who  it  was  that  gave  information 
to  the  rebel  authorities  of  the  proposed  plan,  and  fully  ex- 
honorates  Col.  SANDERSON  from  all  blame  in  the  matter. 

The  Commission,  after  a  careful  examination  of  all  the  evi 
dence,  are  of  opinion  that  the  charge  that  Col.  SANDERSON 
betrayed  a  plan  of  escape  is  without  foundation  ;  had  its  origin 
in  the  malice  of  his  enemies,  and  is  repeated  by  Gen'l  Pow 
without  sufficient  evidence. 

C HARGE  4iH —  Disloyalty. 

Gen*  Dow  says  in  his  letter  to  Major  General  Hitchcock  : 

"  The  conviction  among  the  officers  generally  was  that  he 
was  disloyal ;  had  little  or  no  sympathy  with  our  cause,  but 
much  for  the  rebels.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  constantly  defend- 


123 

ing  the  rebels  and  justifying  them  in  their  treatment  of  our- 
soldiers — averring  that  they  were  properly  treated. 

"  Some  of  this  I  heard  on  one  occasion,  and  interposed  with 
the  facts  at  Belle  Isle  which  existed  under  his  observation. 

"Col.  di  Cesnola,  for  the  last  two  or  three  months,  held  no 
communication  whatever  with  him — so  entire  was  his  confi 
dence  of  his  infidelity  to  the  country.  He  will  gladly  furnish 
any  information  in  his  possession,  as  he  believes  the  good  of 
the  service  requires  Col.  SANDERSON'S  dismissal  from  it.  My 
conviction  wras  that  Col.  SANDERSON  had  no  sympathy  with  the 
Union  cause.  His  conversation,  so  far  as  1  knew  of  it,  indi 
cated  a  decided  hostility  to  the  administration  and  its  measures; 
and  certainly  he  manifested  no  kindly  feeling  towards  our 
soldiers,  who  were  suffering  so  much  in  their  country's  ser 
vice.  By  our  officers,  generally,  at  Richmond,  he  was  regarded' 
with  distrust.  Very  few  of  them  had  any  intercourse  with 
him,  and  great  care  was  used  to  keep  every  matter  from  his 
knowledge  that  we  wished  to  keep  from  the  Rebels." 

In  answer  to  this  charge,  Col.  SANDERSON  gives  a  lengthy 
statement  of  his  original  entry  into  the  service  and  subsequent 
military  history.      From  this  statement  it  wrould  appear  that, . 
at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  Col.  SANDERSON  was  holding  a 
confidential  and  lucrative  position  in  the  New- York  Hotel,  "  a 
celebrated  sojourning  place  in   New- York   city  for  Southern-  - 
ers."  The  Colonel  says  that,  after  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumpter, . 
his  Southern  sympathy  and   conservative  viewrs  melted  into . 
thin  air.     Endorsed  unanimously  by  the  Union  Defence  Com 
mittee    and   by   other   prominent   citizens   of  New- York,  he-. 
sought  employment  in  the  Subsistence  Department,  and  was 
one  of  four  bidders  for  the  first  batch  of  Treasury  notes.     For 
this  his  employer  dismissed  him  on  one  day's  notice.     Unsuc 
cessful  in  an  attempt  to  bring  to  the  notice  of  the  Secretary  of 
War  a  plan  for  teaching  the  soldiers  how  to  cook  their  rations, 
he  returned  to  New-York  and  was  authorized  by  Gov.  Morgan 
to  test  the  practicability  of  his  plans  in  some  of  the  New- York 
regiments. 

It  appears  from  the  statement  of  Dr.  E.  Harris,  U.  S.  Sani 
tary  Commission,  that  he  was  "triumphantly"  successful  in > 
the  15th  N.  Y.  Failing  in  getting  his  plans  approved  by  Con 
gress,  he  accepted  the  position  of  Q.  Master,  22d  Mass..Vols.^ 


124 

tendered  him  by  the  Hon.  Henry  Wilson.  He  soon  after  re 
ceived  his  appointment  as  Commissary,  and  was  assigned  to 
duty  with  the  late  Gen.  Wadsworth,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  the  General  was  assigned  to  the  Military  Governorship 
of  Washington.  He  filled  up  his  leisure  time  in  the  winter  by 
preparing  a  book  on  Camp  Cookery,  which  was  published  and 
•distributed  by  the  Government.  He  was  Gen.  McDowell's 
Chief  Commissary  of  the  First  Corps.  In  July,  1862,  on  the 
recommendation  of  the  same  General,  he  was  made  Major  and 
Add'l  Aid-de-Camp  ;  and,  on  the  recommendation  of  Major- 
Gen.  John  F.  Reynolds,  was,  in  January,  1863,  promoted  Lt. 
Colonel.  He  served  with  Gen.  Hooker  in  the  Antietam  cam 
paign,  and  with  Generals  Reynolds  and  Newton,  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 

In  proof  of  his  patriotism  and  loyalty,  Col.  SANDERSON  pro 
duces  the  testimony  of  various  officers  with  whom  he  has  served, 
and  with  whom  he  was  associated  in  prison. 

Major  Gen.  Meade,  Commanding  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
says  : — 

"  This  is  to  certify  to  all  whom  it  may  interest,  that  I  have 
"known  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  late  Lt.  Col.  in  the  Volunteer 
Subsistence  Department,  since  the  month  of  April,  1862,  at 
which  time  he  was  serving  as  Chief  of  his  Department  in  the 
First  Corps,  under  the  command  of  Major-Gen.  I.  McDowell. 
Afterwards  I  commanded,  for  a  short  period,  the  First  Corps ; 
and,  subsequently,  a  Division  in  that  Corps,  under  Gen.  Rey 
nolds,  during  which  time  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  Chief  of  his 
Department,  in  which  position  he  remained  till  taken  prisoner, 
about  three  weeks  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg.  In  all  this 
time,  my  knowledge  of  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  to  shoAv  him 
to  be  an  active,  intelligent  officer,  zealous  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duties,  and  of  distinguished  gallantry  on  the  field  of  battle 
— I  being  personally  cognizant  of  his  services  at  Fredericks- 
burg,  Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg. 

"  I  have  frequently  conversed  with  the  officers  with  whom 
Col.  SANDERSON  immediately  served,  particularly  Major-Gens. 
McDowell  and  Reynolds,  and  Brig.-Gen,  Wadsworth;  and 
uniformly  heard  these  officers  express  themselves  favorably 
of  Col.  SANDERSON.  I  never  heard  his  loyalty  or  fidelity  to  his 
country  questioned,  and  learned  with  equal  regret  and  surprise 


125 

that  charges  of  this  character  had  been  brought  against  him 
whilst  a  prisoner  at  Richmond. 

"I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  past  services  and  good  con 
duct  of  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  entitle  him  to  a  fair  investigation, 
and  trust  the  Government  will  grant  the  same." 

Major  Gen.  Hooker,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  says  : — 

"I  commanded  the  First  Corps  during  the  Maryland  cam 
paign,  until  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Antietam ;  and,  from 
personal  observation  know  you  to  have  been  as  true  to  the 
policy  of  the  Administration"  and  to  the  Government  as  any 
officer  in  the  Army.  This  was  at  a  period  when  the  policy  of 
the  Administration  in  regard  to  Slavery  was  discussed  more 
openly  and  freely  than  at  any  other  period  of  which  I  have 
knowledge.  It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  make  this  state 
ment,  for  I  fully  remember  the  great  satisfaction  it  gave  me 
to  meet  with  one  Avhose  views  coincided  with  my  own.  This 
was  at  a  period  of  the  war  when  it  seemed  to  be  fashionable 
to  entertain  opposite  opinions.  Subsequently,  I  remember, 
we  had  many  interviews  in  which  this,  with  other  topics, 
formed  the  subject  of  our  conversation,  which  always  resulted 
in  the  enhancement  of  my  estimation  of  your  loyalty.  In 
deed.  I  should  as  soon  think  of  distrusting  my  own  fidelity  to 
the  cause  as  yours. 

"With  respect  to  your  conduct  in  battle  and  your  ability 
and  efficiency  in  the  performance  of  your  duties,  it  gives  me 
no  less  pleasure  to  recur  to  them.  In  all  regards,  your  official 
character  and  conduct  were  entirely  satisfactory  to  me. 

B'vt  Brig.  Gen.  Sliarpe  says  :— 

"  I  have  known  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  since  May,  1849.  I  lived 
with  him  nearly  twro  years  at  that  time,  and  at  intervals  since  ; 
and,  during  that  time,  I  never  knew  Col.  SANDERSON  to  behave 
in  a  cruel  or  tyrannical  manner  to  those  under  him.  The 
servants  always  remained  with  him,  and  even  followed  him  to 
other  hotels.  He  always  kept  the  servants  under  good  disci 
pline.  I  frequently  made  my  home  at  the  New- York  Hotel, 
and  particularly  during  the  winter  for  several  years.  I  under 
stood,  after  Col.  SANDERSON  left  the  New- York  Hotel,  that  the 
reason  he  left  was  on  account  of  his  open  and  very  de 
cided  espousal  of  the  Union  party.  This  I  learned  from  the 
old  habitues  of  the  Hotel,  who  had  been  there  for  several  years, 


126 

like  myself.  I  have  discontinued  going  to  the  New-York 
Hotel  on  account  of  the  Southern  feeling  that  prevailed  there. 

"About  three  months  ago,  Col.  SANDERSON  wrote  to  me,  say 
ing  he  expected  to  have  a  hearing  in  his  case  ;  and  I  drew  up 
a  paper  stating  my  knowledge  of  the  Colonel,  and  my  opinion 
of  his  loyalty.  That  paper  received  a  very  special  endorse 
ment  from  Gen.  Patrick,  in  which  he  stated  that  Col.  SANDER 
SON  had  served  under  his  command  ;  and  he  spoke  from  his 
personal  knowledge  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  character  as  a  gen 
tleman  and  his  high  efficiency  in  his  Department.  The  paper 
also  had  a  very  warm  endorsement  from  Gen.  Seth  Williams. 
Both  of  these  endorsements  were  lengthy  and  special.  The 
paper  had  a  number  of  signatures  :  among  others  those  of 
Gen.  Hunt  ;  Lt.  Cols.  Barton  and  Riddle  ;  Major  Cox,  C.  S.  ; 
Headquarters,  Army  of  the  Potomac.  This  paper  bore  strong 
testimony  to  Col.  SANDERSON'S  conduct  as  a  gentleman  and 
soldier,  and,  I  remember,  it  was  made  a  matter  of  special  re 
mark,  that  he  always  Avent  into  battle  with  his  commanders. 
This  paper  was  left  to  be  forwarded  by  an  officer  at  H,  Qrs. 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  I  understood  it  was  mailed  from 
there  and  has  miscarried. 

"  I  think  that  those  who  knew  Col.  SANDERSON  wrould  say 
that  he  is  impulsive.  I  do  not  think  that  Col.  SANDERSON  is 
what  would  be  called  a  profane  man,  although  I  have  heard 
him  use  profane  language.  My  opinion  of  Col.  SANDERSON  is 
such  that  I  would  trust  any  interest  I  have  in  the  world  in  his 
hands,  and  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt  of  his  loyalty. 

"  I  have  never  heard  a  doubt  expressed  of  his  loyalty  j  on 
the  contrary,  I  have  heard  the  utmost  surprise  expressed  that 
he  was  charged  with  disloyalty." 

Col.  Henry  A.  Morrow  says  :— 

"  I  have  known  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  as  a  soldier,  for  about 
two  years.  I  think  I  was  introduced  to  him  by  the  late  Brig- 
Gen.  Wadsworth,  who  felt  for  him  the  liveliest  feelings  of  re 
gard. 

"  Col.  SANDERSON  was  at  this  time  attached  to  the  staif  of 
the  late  Major-Gen.  Reynolds,  in  the  capacity  of  Chief  Com 
missary.  I  had  occasion  to  meet  Col.  S.  at  various  times  and 
places  during  the  spring  of  1863,  and  immediately  after  the 
battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1863  j  I  was  in  his  company  for 
several  hours.  The  conversation  at  such  a  time  naturally 
turned  on  the  Rebellion,  and  the  means  adopted  to  put  it 
down.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  positive  and  emphatic  in  his  de- 


127 

nunciations  of  the  Rebellion  and  every  body  and  every  thing 
connected  with  it.  I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  heard 
any  man  denounce  the  Southern  leaders  in  more  caustic  and 
bitter  terms  than  did  Col.  S.  on  that  occasion.  He  was  espe 
cially  severe  on  the  institution  of  Slavery — which  he  declared 
to  be  the  cause  of  all  our  troubles,  and  my  recollection  is  that 
he  favored  the  idea  of  settling  the  negroes  on  the  lands  in  the 
West.  I  state  this  to  show  my  recollection  of  this  conversa 
tion.  He  repeated  many  times  in  the  course  of  the  conversa 
tion,  that  he  believed  the  policy  adopted  by  Mr.  Lincoln  to  be 
constitutional,  wise,  and  just ;  and  he  declared  that,  sooner 
than  not  subdue  the  Rebellion,  he  would  make  the  South  a 
wilderness  and  a  desolation.  I  do  not  undertake  to  give  the 
exact  language  of  Col.  S.,  but  I  remember  that  it  was  out 
spoken  and  terribly  denunciatory. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  whatever,  judging  simply  from  what  I 
have  heard  him  say,  that  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  is  most 
loyal  to  the  country  and  is  as  warm  a  friend  to  the  policy  of 
the  Administration  as  is  to  be  found  anywhere.  It  is  within 
my  personal  knowledge  that  he  enjoyed  the  respect  and  con 
fidence  of  that  noble  patriot,  Gen.  Wadsworth." 

Dr.  E.  Harris,  of  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission,  referring 
to  the  services  of  Col.  SANDERSON  while  with  the  15th  N. 
Y.,  previous  to  his  appointment  as  Commissary,  says  : — 

"At  that  time,  and  ever  since,  I  had  no  doubt  that  you  were 
prompted  by  the  highest  patriotism  and  humanity  to  under 
take  that  work.  Indeed,  in  the  City  of  New- York,  it  was 
well  known  that  you  were,  from  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumpter, 
a  bold  and  manly  defender  of  our  National  cause,  and  ready  to 
serve  in  the  war  in  any  way  you  could  be  most  useful." 

That  the  loyalty  and  support  of  the  Administration  of  Col. 
SANDERSON  were  not  diminished  by  his  prison  experiences, 
would  appear  from  the  certificates  of  the  following  officers, 
his  companions  in  captivity. 

Col.  C.  W.  Tildeii,  16th  Me.  Vols.,  says  :- 

"  During  the  whole  of  my  imprisonment,  I  was  very  intimate 
with  Col.  SANDERSON — messing  with  him,  sleeping  near  him, 
joining  with  him  in  his  evening  amusements,  conferring  with 
him  on  business  matters  and  on  private  affairs,  and  frequently 


12$ 

discussing  political  subjects — and  I  always  found  him  a  pleas 
ant  associate,  ever  ready  to  promote  the  interests  of  those 
about  him  ;  ready  and  willing  to  give  advice  when  required  • 
and  a  warm  snp porter  of  the  Administration,  upholding  the 
Government  in  its  most  vigorous  and  stringent  efforts  to 
crush  the  Rebellion.  I  never  heard  or  knew  of  his  express 
ing  opinions  adverse  to  this  Administration  or  any  of  its 
measures,  or  any  opinions  antagonistical  to  the  cause  of  Union 
and  freedom.  I  never  heard  him  express  any  opinion  in  favor 
of  the  South  or  its  institutions  ;  on  the  contrary,  I  have  heard 
him  repeatedly  express  himself  as  being  an  open  and  avowed 
abolitionist.  I  never  saw  him  on  more  intimate  terms  with 
Rebel  officers  than,  in  my  opinion,  was  justifiable,  or  his  du 
ties  as  one  of  the  Committee  demanded.  I  did  not  consider 
him  a  disloyal  man,  neither  was  he  so  considered  by  a  large 
number  of  the  officers.  I  am  knowing  to  the  fact  that  he  did 
as  far  as  possible  use  his  influence  with  the  Rebel  authorities 
to  mitigate  or  ameliorate  the  rigors  of  our  imprisonment,  and; 
that  in  some  instances  he  was  successful." 

Col.  Hetoer  L-eFavour,  22d  Mich.  Vols.,  says  :— 

"  In  many  conversations  with  him  [Col.  S.]  I  have  never 
heard  him  express  any  sentiment  adverse  to  the  Administra 
tion  or  its  measures  ;  and,  per  contra,  have  heard  him  support 
it  and  its  measures  very  ardently.  By  his  conversation,  I 
judged  him  to  be  a  Republican,  and  quite  Radical  on  the  sub 
ject  of  the  Abolition  of  Slavery.  He  was  quick,  impulsive, 
and  at  times  imprudent  in  speech  and  actions  ;  but  I  can 
not  believe  him  guilty  of  disloyalty  to  the  United  States,  nor 
of  treachery  to  his  fellow-prisoners  ;  and  do  not  think  there 
was  a  more  loyal  man  in  Libby  Prison  than  he." 

Col.  P.  di  Cesnola,  4th  N.  Y.  Cavalry,  referring  to  the 
statement  of  Gen.  Dow  given  above,  that  "  Col.  di'Ces- 
"  nola,  for  the  last  two  or  three  months,  held  no  commu- 
"  nication  whatever  with  him,  so  entire  was  his  conviction 
"  of  his  infidelity  to  the  country.  He  will  gladly  furnish 
"  any  information  in  his  possession,  as  he  believes  the  good 
"  of  the  service  requires  Col.  SANDERSON'S  dismissal  from 
"  it,"  says:— 

"  I  have  never  made  such  assertion,  nor  have  I  authorized 
any  officer  to  make  it  in  my  name.  The  differences  existing 


129 

between  you  and  myself,  if  any  existed,  were  of  a  private 
character,  and  were  not  in  consequence  of  any  change  of 
opinion  on  my  part  concerning  you.  To  accuse  a  man  of 
being  a  traitor  or  disloyal  to  his  country  requires  a  great  deal 
of  evidence  to  show  it,  and  I  am  happy  to  say  I  have  never 
seen  any  such  evidence  which  would  justify  me  to  call  Col. 
SANDERSON  with  such  names." 

Col.  Thos.  E.  Rose,  77th  Pa.  Vols.,  says  :— 

"  I  never  heard  him  express  sentiments,  antagonistic  to  our 
Government  or  the  Administration.  I  never  heard  him  say 
anything,  nor  did  I  ever  see  anything  in  his  conduct  that  would 
indicate  that  he  sympathized  with  the  Rebels  or  any  of  their 
institutions.'7 

Lt.  Col.  R.  S.  Northcott,  12th  W.  Va.  Vols.,  says  :— 

"  I  had  frequent  conversations  with  him  in  relation  to  the 
policy  of  our  Government  concerning  the  exchange  of  prison 
ers,  and  he  uniformly  expressed  a  cheerful  acquiescence  in  that 
policy.  I  never  heard  him  utter  a  word  of  complaint  against  his 
Government,  but  I  frequently  heard  him  rebuke  others  who 
were  inclined  to  complain.  1  never  heard  Col.  SANDERSON  utter 
a  word  in  favor  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  I  well  remem 
ber,  that  at  the  time  the  Rebel  authorities  at  Richmond  refused 
to  recognize  Gen.  Butler  as  Commissioner  of  Exchange,  that 
he  expressed  his  indignation  to  me  in  the  strongest  terms.  I 
do  not  recollect  all  that  he  said  to  me  at  the  time,  but  I  re 
member  his  excusing  the  conduct  of  Gen.  Butler  in  his  Mili 
tary  Administration  at  New  Orleans,  and  also  of  his  saying 
that  the  Rebels,  who  were  nothing  but  a  set  of  outlaivs  them 
selves,  had  no  right  to  decide  any  other  man  in  Christendom 
an  outlaw,  and  that  our  Government  would  be  justifiable  in 
breaking  off  all  intercourse  with  the  Rebels  by  llag  of  truce 
boat  until  they  did  recognize  Butler,  and  that  as  a  prisoner, 
he  (SANDERSON)  would  be  willing  to  endure  any  suffering  that 
might  result  from  such  a  course  on  the  part  of  our  Govern 
ment." 

JLt.  Col.  Jere  Williams,  25th  Ohio  Vols.,  says  :— 

"During  a  great  part  of  the  time  that  we  both  were  there, 
[Libby  Prison,]  we  were  in  the  same  room,  and  were  neces 
sarily  often  together.  During  our  stay  there,  I  never  heard 
him  express  any  opinio^ adverse  to  our  Government  or  itg 


130 

measures ;  nor  ever  did  I  hear  him  speak  of  the  Confederacy,, 
except  in  terms  of  condemnation,  sometimes  very  strong. 

"  He  conducted  himself  at  all  times,  so  far  as  I  could  learn, 
as  a  zealous  Union  man  and  as  a  strong  supporter  of  the  Gov 
ernment.  I  am  very  decidedly  of  opinion  that,  instead  of 
censure,  he  should  receive  commendation  and  thanks  for  his 
efforts  in  behalf  of  the  wretched  inmates  of  Libby." 

Lt.  Col.  Frederick  F.  Cavada,  114th  Pa.  Vols.,  says  : — 

"  I  never  heard  anything,  whilst  in  the  Libby  or  since  I  left 
it,  that  could  induce  me  to  believe  in  the  report  that  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  was  a  traitor  to  the  Government  under  which  he  served.'7 

Col.  B.  F.   Fisher,  U.  S.  Signal  Corps,  says  :— 

"  I  never  heard  him  express  any  opinion  adverse  to  our 
Government  or  its  measures,  or  express  any  sympathy  for  the 
Confederacy  or  its  institutions.  He  was  not  considered  dis 
loyal  by  the  better  class  of  officers  or  shunned  in  conse 
quence.77 

Lt.  Col.  A.  F.  Rogers,  80th  111.  Vols.,  says  :— 

"  From  what  I  saw  and  knew  of  Col.  SANDERSON,  I  would 
consider  him  a  loyal  man,  and  not  opposed  to  the  present  Ad 
ministration  and  its  measures,  and  not  in  sympathy  with  the 
Rebellion.  I  consider  Col.  SANDERSON  more  deserving  of 
praise  than  censure  for  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  his  comrades.77 

Lt.  Col.  Joliu  Henry,  5th  Ohio  Cavalry,  says  :— 

"  I  was,  while  a  prisoner,  very  intimate  with  Lt.  Col.  SAN 
DERSON,  and  had  many  conversations  with  him  on  literary  and 
political  subjects.  Heard  his  views  on  the  Rebellion,  but 
never  heard  him  express  any  sympathy  for  those  engaged  in 
it ;  on  the  contrary,  he  was  very  bitter  against  all  Rebels.'7 

Major  J.  Harris  Hooper,  15th  Mass.  Vols.,  says:— 

"  During  my  acquaintance  with  Lt,  Col.  SANDERSON,  (which 
was  of  an  intimate  character,)  I  never  heard  him  give  expres 
sion  to  any  sentiments  adverse  to  the  U.  S.  Government 
or  its  measures,  or  in  any  way  favorable  to  the  Rebel  Govern 
ment  or  its  institutions  ;  and  1  never  heard  or  saw  anything 
that  caused  me  to  believe  him  other  than  a  thoroughly  loyal 
man." 


131 

Major  Will.  Russell,  Jr.,  A.  A.  G.  Mid.  Mil.  Div.,  says  : 

"I  have  had  frequent  discussions  with  Col.  SANDERSON  on  the 
subject  of  politics,  and  have  heard  him  express  himself  on  the 
questions  at  issue  ;  but  I  never  heard  him  express  any  senti 
ments  adverse  to  the  Administration  or  its  measures,  or  say 
anything  in  favor  of  the  Confederacy  or  its  institutions.  On 
the  contrary,  he  avowed  himself  openly  as  an  Abolitionist, 
and  went  further  in  his  devotion  to  the  Administration  than 
was  concurred  in  by  many  of  his  hearers.7' 

Major  J.  E.  Clark,  5th  Mich.  Cav.,  says  :— 

"  I  never  heard  him  express  sentiments  adverse  to  the  Gov 
ernment  or  its  measures,  or  favorable  to  the  Confederacy  or 
its  institutions  ;  nor  did  I  suspect  him  of  entertaining  such 
sentiments." 

Lt.  Col.  CHARLES  FARNSWORTH'S  testimony  is  in  nearly  the 
same  words. 

Surgeon  A.  W.  Whitney,  13th  Mass.  Yols.,  says  :— 

"  I  never  heard  him  express  sentiments  hostile  to  the  Ad 
ministration  or  its  measures,  or  show  the  slightest  sympathy 
with  the  so-called  Southern  Confederacy  or  its  institutions. 
He  was  not  shunned  by  the  better  class  of  officers  on  account 
of  his  disloyalty  ;  on  the  contrary,  his  society  was  much 
sought  after.  I  believe  him  to  be  as  loyal  as  Gen.  Neal  Dow, 
and  as  patriotic  as  Col.  Straight — without  the  whine  of  the 
former,  or  the  bluster  of  the  latter.  From  my  knowledge  of 
Col.  SANDERSON  previous  to  his  capture,  and  his  present  repu 
tation  in  the  Corps.  I  do  not  believe  him  capable  of  treachery 
to  his  comrades,  treason  to  his  Government,  or  inhumanity  to- 
any  creature  however  lowly.  While  in  prison,  I  believe,  he- 
was  one  of  the  few  officers  who  did  not  growl  and  complain 
because  the  U.  S.  Government  did  not  effect  exchanges  more 
rapidly." 

Capt.  lialpli  O.  Ives,  10th  Mass.  Yols.,  says  :— 

"As  regards  .Mr.  SANDERSON,  whom  I  have  known  for  ten 
years,  I  give  it  as  my  belief  that  he  is  and  always  has  been  a 
perfectly  loyal  man,  who  would  'not  in  any  wise  give  aid  or 
comfort  to^the  enemy  ;  that  my  relations  with  Mr.  SANDERSON 
were  of  the  most  intimate  character;  that  we  messed  together, 


132 

slept  side  by  side  ;  in  short,  we  were  constantly  in  each 
other's  society ;  that,  in  all  my  intercourse  with  him,  (and  I 
was  honored  with  his  perfect  confidence,)  I  never  heard  him 
•express  a  sentiment  of  sympathy  with  a  rebel  or  with  their 
cause ;  or  ever  knew  of  his  doing  anything  that  might  be 
construed  into  sympathy — not  that  he  was  blatant  in  his  abuse 
of  the  rebel  authorities,  which  was  equally  puerile  and  in  bad 
taste  by  a  prisoner,  but  that  he  always  protested  against  harsh 
usage  ;  and  frequently  by  his  quiet,  manly,  and  dignified  re 
monstrance  saved  his  fellow-prisoners  from  abuse." 

Capt.  Edward  A.  Mass,  88th  Pa.  Yols.,  says  :— 

"  I  heard  him  on  one  occasion  conversing  with  a  rebel  citi 
zen,  (I  was  told  he  was  an  editor,)  and  that  conversation  was 
strongly  loyal,  and  against  Southern  treason  in  every  shape 
and  form." 

Capt.  Edward  A.  Fotoes,  C.  S.  2d  Div.  Cav.  Corps,  says  : 

"  On  several  occasions  I  have  heard  him  speak  boldly  and 
openly  to  Confederate  officers  when  his  own  Government  was 
maligned  or  its  policy  misrepresented.  His  sentiments,  as  ex 
pressed  in  prison,  led  me  to  think  him  thoroughly  loyal  to  his 
country  and  its  cause." 

Similar  testimony  as  to  his  loyalty,  in  some  cases  expressed 
in  much  stronger  language,  is  given  by 
Captain  MARTIN  TOWER,  13th  Mass.  Yols. 

E.  McB.  TIMONEY,  15th  U.  S.  Infantry. 

GEORGE  H.  STARR,  104th  N.  Y.  Yols. 

J.  M.  Me  COMAS,  9th  Md.  Yols. 

E.  CHARLIER,  157th  N.  Y.  Yols. 

S.  G.  HAMLIN,  134th  N.  Y.  Yols. 

H.  EEES  WHITING,  24th  Mich.  Yols. 
Adj't    P.  OWEN  JONES,  2d  N.  Y.  Cavalry. 

N.  McEvoY,  3d  111.  Cavalry. 
EirstLt.  E.  C.  KNAGGS,  A.D.C.  to  Gen.  Baxter. 
Sec'd  Lt.  HARLAND  RICHARDSON,  19th  Ind.  Yols. 
Sec'd  Lt.  GEO.  D.  BISBEE,  16th  Me.  Yols. 
Acting  Master  W.  E.  H.  FENTRESS,  U.  S.  Navy. 

The  only  evidence  against  the  loyalty  of  Col.  SANDERSON 


183 

in  the  papers  before  the  Commission,  is  contained  in  the  state 
ment  of  Gen.  Dow,  as  above  quoted.  Attention  is  called  to 
the  fact  that  the  alleged  disloyal  utterances  of  Col.  SANDER 
SON  were  not  made,  the  most  of  them,  in  the  presence  of  Gen~ 
Dow,  but  his  opinion  cf  the  disloyalty  of  Col.  SANDERSON  was 
founded  upon  what  others  told  him.  He  specially  men 
tions  Col.  Cesnola  as  saying  that  Col.  SANDERSON  was  disloyal 
and  ought  to  be  dismissed  the  service. 

Col.  Cesnola,  in  his  statement  given  above,  denies  ever 
having  made  such  an  assertion,  or  authorized  any  officer  to 
make  it  for  him.  The  testimony  of  officers  of  the  highest 
rank,  who  knew  Col.  SANDERSON  previous  to  his  imprisonment,. 
is  explicit  as  to  his  open  and  avowed  loyalty.  Among  these 
officers  are  Major-Generals  Meade,  Hooker,  Reynolds,  McDow 
ell,  and  the  late  Brig.-General  Wadsworth.  The  testimony  of 
his  fellow-prisoners  is  uniform  to  the  point  that  he  was  em 
phatic,  while  in  prison,  in  his  support  of  the  Administration 
and  its  measures.  The  testimony  is  cumulative  and  conclu 
sive  to  the  point  that,  while  in  prison,  Col.  SANDERSON  ex 
pressed  himself  as  a  thoroughly  loyal  man,  and  a  warm  sup 
porter  of  the  Administration  and  its  measures. 

After  a  careful  consideration  of  all  the  testimony,  the  Com 
mission  is  of  opinion  that  the  charge  of  disloyalty  is  utterly 
without  foundation. 

The  above  are  all  the  charges  brought  against  Col.  SANDER 
SON  by  Gen.  Neal  Dow  and  Corporal  Taylor,  and  in  the  opinion 
of  the  Commission  a  satisfactory  defence  is  made  to  them  all. 
Much  additional  testimony,  however,  is  contained  in  the  pa 
pers  for  the  defence,  and  for  a  thorough  understanding  of  the 
case,  it  will  be  necessary  to  show  the  duties  Col.  SANDERSON: 
was  called  upon  to  perform  while  in  prison,  and  how,  while  in 
the  proper  performance  of  these  duties,  he  aroused  opposition, 
and  made  enemies. 

The  rooms  in  which  they  were  confined  at  Libby  Prison, 
were  divided  and  known  as  the  "  Eastern  Department77  and 
"  Western  Department,77  into  the  former  of  which  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  and  his  companions  were  put.  The  Eastern  Depart- 


134 

jnent  was  under  the  direction  of  Col.  C.  W.  Tildeii,  16th  Me., 
and  the  Western  Department  under  A.  D.  Streight.  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  having  been  a  hotel  keeper,  and  having  some  reputa 
tion  as  a  cook,  was  selected  as  kitchen  director  of  the  Eastern 
Department. 

Major  Wm.  Russell,  A.  A.  G.  M.  M.  Div.,  says  :- 

"  Soon  after  our  arrival  Col.  SANDERSON  was  requested  to 
assume  direction  and  supervision  of  the  culinary  arrangements 
of  the  department,  which  he  did  greatly  to  the  advantage  of 
all  parties,  introducing  a  system  and  regularity  unattainable 
'under  any  other  circumstances. 

"  His  duties  were  to  teach  the  mess  cooks  how  to  prepare 
their  rations,  arranging  the  hours  and  mode  of  occupying  the 
stoves  and  tables,  and  settling  all  disputes  in  relation  thereto, 
arising  between  the  various  parties  engaged  in  cooking  and 
^setting  the  tables.  The  situation  was  a  most  trying  one, 
and  demanded  the  greatest  amount  of  patience,  good  temper, 
and  impartiality  ;  and  was  calculated  to  make  many  enemies 
for  its  occupant.  No  man  gave  more  trouble  or  called  upon 
Col.  S.  more  frequently  than  Capt.  Atwood.  So  well  did 
this  system  work,  however,  that  we  became  the  envy  of 
the  adjoining  department,  known  as  "  Streight  and  Milroy's," 
and  efforts  were  made  to  obtain  an  unanimous  invitation  to 
'Col.  SANDERSON  to  undertake  the  super  vision  of  their  kitchen, 
but  the  scheme  failed." 

Many  other  officers  testify  to  the  same  effect,  not  only  to  the 
value  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  services,  but  also  that  the  position 
was  calculated  to  make  the  Colonel  many  enemies,  and  did 
make  enemies.  In  a  political  discussion,  Col.  Streight  took 
occasion  to  fasten  a  quarrel  upon  Col.  SANDERSON,  and  abused 
him  in  a  shameful  manner. 

Col.  Rogers,  who  was  present,  says  : — 

"  Every  officer  that  heard  it  censured  Col.  Streight.  After 
the  difficulty  Col.  Streight  was  a  persistent  enemy  of  Col. 
SANDERSON." 

'The  testimony  is  unanimous  that  the  personal  bearing  ot 
Col.  SANDERSON,  while  in  prison,  was  courteous,  affable  and 


135 

•gentlemanly,  and  that    lie  was  ever   ready   to    perform   kind 
offices  for  his  fellow  prisoners. 

Col.  Tildeii  says  :— 

"  He  was  noted  for  keeping  sundry  little  conveniences  on 
hand  for  those  less  provident,  and  in  many  instances  I  have 
known  officers  to  call  on  him  for  favors  of  this  kind,  who  on 
former  occasions  had  abused  him,  and  he  was  always  ready  to 
meet  their  request  if  in  his  power." 

Lt.  Jones,  Adj't  2d  N.  Y.  Cav.,  after  testifying  to  the  number 
less  acts  of  kindness  performed  by  Col.  SANDERSON  towards 
Jiis  fellow-prisoners,  says  : — 

"  I  have  yet  to  learn  an  instance  where  he  refused  anything 
that  was  in  his  power  to  do,  or  give  either  to  friend  or  foe, 
^when  applied  to." 

Very  many  of  the  officers  testify  that  Col.  SANDERSON  lent 
them  money  on  various  occasions,  and  that  he  lent  money  to 
several  officers  to  enable  them  to  escape  from  prison. 

It  would  seem  from  the  statement  of  Col.  Rose,  that  Col. 
Streight  himself  was  enabled  to  escape  by  means  of  money 
loaned  by  Col.  SANDERSON. 

He  says  :— 

''Major  McDanald  borrowed  money  from  Col.  SANDERSON,  by 
which  he  and  Col.  Streight  effected  their  escape  from  Rich 
mond." 

And  he  says  very  justly  : 

"  These  officers  would  not  have  entrusted  Col.  SANDERSON 
with  the  secret  if  they  had  suspected  him  of  treachery." 

Major  MCDANALD  corroberates  the  statement  of  Col.  Rose. 
Col.  Rose  is  Col.  of  the  77th  Regt.  Penn.  Yols.,  and  was,  ac 
cording  to  his  own  account— 

"  The  originator  of  that  scheme  (the  tunne,!)  and  the  leader 
of  it  throughout." 

He  says  Col.  Streight  knew  nothing  of  the  tunnel  until 
after  he  had  been  working  at  it  for  more  than  a  month. 


136 

£  At  the  time  Longstreet's  Corps  was  passing  through  Rich 
mond  to  reinforce  Bragg,  Col.  SANDERSON  offered  five  hun 
dred  dollars  to  any  officer  who  would  escape  and  convey  the 
intelligence  to  our  Government. 

The  kindness  and  consideration  of  Col.  SANDERSON  for  his 
fellow-prisoners  was  showrn  when  he  left  Libby  Prison. 

Major  Russell  says  : — 

"  When  about  to  be  exchanged,  Col.  SANDERSON  divided 
among  his  companions  and  messmates  everything  he  was 
possessed  of  in  the  shape  of  books,  clothing,  bedding  and 
subsistence,  amounting  to  over  two  hundred  dollars,  if  not 
more,  carrying  away  with  him  the  contents  of  a  haversack 
and  one  blanket." 

His  conduct  in  this  particular  was  in  marked  contrast  to 
that  of  his  principal  accuser,  Gen.  Dow,  who,  according  to  his 
own  account,  carried  aw^ay  from  Libby  "  two  large  trunks." 

That  Col.  SANDERSON  was  an  active  and  efficient  officer  is 
undisputed,  and  abundantly  appears  from  the  evidence  in  the 
case.  Attention  is  called  to  the  statements  of  Genl's.  Meade 
and  Hooker,  who  both  testify  to  his  distinguished  gallantry 
on  the  field  of  battle.  It  appears  that  he  always  insisted  on 
going  into  battle  with  his  Commanding  General. 

After  a  very  careful  arid  thorough  consideration  of  all  the 
evidence  in  this  case,  the  Commission  is  of  opinion  that  there 
is  not  a  shadow  of  foundation  for  the  charges  of  Misappropria 
tion  of  Government  Stores,  or  Disloyalty. 

With  regard  to  the  charge  of  cruel  treatment  of  our  prison 
ers  at  Belle  Isle,  the  Commission  is  of  opinion  that  Col.  SAN 
DERSON,  though  strict  in  the  enforcement  of  discipline,  is  inno 
cent.  The  testimony  shows  conclusively  that  Col.  SANDERSON 
was  active  and  untiring  in  alleviating  the  sufferings  and 
promoting  the  interests  of  his  fellow-prisoners,  whether 
enlisted  men  or  commissioned  officers. 

The  Commission  is  of  opinion  that  the  conduct  of  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  Avhile  a  prisoner  in  Richmond  deserves  praise  and  not 


137 

censure,  and  they  respectfully  recommend,  that  the  order  dis 
missing  him  from  the  service  be  revoked. 
(Signed) 

JOHN    C.   CALDWELL, 
Brig. -Gen.  U.  S.  Vols., 

Prest.  Com. 
GEORGE.  A. H.BLAKE, 

Col.  1st   U.  S.  Cav'y. 
GEORGE  H.  CALDWELL. 

Capt.  &  A.  A.  G.,  Recorder. 

Office   Military    Commission.      } 
302  "H,"St.,  Cor.  17th,  V 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  17,  1865.) 
(Official  Copy.) 

GEORGE  H.  CALDWELL, 

Capt.  &  A.  A.  G.,  Recorder. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant  General's  Office, 
WASHINGTON,  June  8th,  1865. 
SPECIAL  ORDERS,  ) 

No.  288.        j 

\  Extract.] 


17.  Paragraph  19  of  Special  Orders  No.  272  from  this 
office,  dated  June  2,  1865,  is  hereby  amended  to  read  as  fol 
lows  : 

"  The  Military  Commission,  to  whom  the  case  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  Major,  additional  Aide-de-Camp; 
and  Captain,  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  United  States  Vol 
unteers,  was  referred  for  investigation  and  report,  having 
made  their  report,  to  the  effect  that  Lt.-Col.  SANDERSON'S  con 
duct,  while  a  prisoner  at  Richmond,  deserves  praise  rather 
than  censure,  and  recommending  that  the  order  dismissing  him 


138 

Trom  service  be  revoked.  Paragraph  7  of  Special  Orders,  No. 
207,  from  this  Office,  dated  June  23,  1864,  is  by  direction  of 
the  President,  hereby  revoked  and  annulled,  to  take  effect 
,May  27,  1865. 


By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
(Official.) 
E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
..Lieut. -Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON — Present. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant  General's  Office, 
WASHINGTON,   June   19/1865. 
SPECIAL  ORDERS,  \ 
No.  315.         ) 

[Extract.] 


53.  By  direction  of  the  President,  so  much  of  Special  Or 
ders,  No.  288,  Paragraph  17,  from  this  office,  dated  June  8, 
1865,  as  re-instates  Lieutenant-Colonel  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON, 
Major  and  Additional  Aid-de-Camp,  is  hereby  amended  so  aa 
vto  restore  him  without  loss  of  pay. 


By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Ass't  Adj.  Geril. 
(Official) 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Ass't  Adj.  Geril. 
TLt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON, 

No.  129  Remsen  St., 

Brooklyn,  N.  Y 


139 

WAR  DEPARTMENT,         } 

Adjutant  General's  Office,      (- 
WASHINGTON,  Aug.  15,  1865.) 
SPECIAL  ORDERS,  ) 
No.  440.         ) 

[Extract.'] 

29.  Under  the  provisions  of  General  Orders  No.  79,  May  1, 
1865,  from  this  Office,  the  services  of  the  following  named 
officers  being  no  longer  needed,  they  are  hereby  honorably 
mustered  out  of  the  service  of  the  United  States.  They  will 
receive  no  final  payments  until  they  shall  have  satisfied  the 
Pay  Department  that  they  are  not  indebted  to  the  United 
States. 

Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  Major,  Additional  Aid-de- 
Camp  and  Captain,  Commissary  of  Subsistence,  U.  S.  Volun 
teers. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

Jlstfl  Adj.  Gen'l. 
(Official) 

E.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

A.A.  G. 


EPISODE. 


During  the  last  session  of  the  so-called  Confederate  Con 
gress,  a  committee  of  that  body  made  a  report,  in  answer  to 
the  charge  of  cruelty  to  prisoners,  of  which  the  following  is 
an  extract  :— 

THE  FEDERAL  COL.  SANDERSON'S  TESTIMONY. 

"  In  connection  with  this  point,  your  committee  refer  to  the 
testimony  of  a  Federal  officer,  Col.  JAS.  M.  SANDERSON,  whose 
letter  is  annexed  to  the  deposition  of  Maj.  Turner.  He  testi 
fies  to  the  full  delivery  of  the  clothing  and  supplies  from  the 
North,  and  to  the  humanity  and  kindness  of  the  Confederate 
officers,  specially  mentioning  Lt.  Bossieux,  commanding  the 
Belle  Isle.  His  letter  was  addressed  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States  Sanitary  Commission,  and  was  beyond  doubt 
received  by  him,  having  been  forwarded  by  the  regular  flag 
of  truce.  Yet  the  scrupulous  and  honest  gentlemen  compos 
ing  that  Commission  have  not  found  it  convenient  for  their 
purposes  to  insert  this  letter  in  their  publication.  Had  they 
been  really  searching  for  the  truth,  this  letter  would  have 
aided  them  in  finding  it." 

Also  the  subjoined  :— 

*  "And  this  is  confirmed  by  the  Federal  Colonel 
SANDERSON,  who  states  that  the  average  number  of  deaths  per 
month,  on  Belle  Isle,  was  from  "  two  to  five — more  frequently 
the  lesser  number."  The  sick  were  promptly  removed  from 
the  Island  to  the  hospitals  in  the  city." 

From  the  introduction  as  published  in  the  New- York  Tri 
bune,  from  which  the  above  are  taken,  I  learn  that  the  accom 
panying  documents,  including  Maj.  Turner's  deposition  and 
my  letter,  were  destroyed  by  fire.  As  the  deductions  drawn 
from  that  letter  are  false  and  calculated  to  injure  me  in  the 
estimation  of  my  friends,  I  deem  it  my  duty  to  place  the  miss 
ing  document  on  record  for  the  purpose  of  showing  the  bad 


142   - 

faith  of  the  committee  in  question,  and  to  enable  those  suffi 
ciently  interested,  to  deduce  from  my  own  words  precisely 
what  I  did  say. 

In  order  to  obtain  a  proper  understanding  of  the  reasons 
which  impelled  me  to  write  the  letter  aforesaid,  I  would  sim 
ply  state,  that  whilst  a  prisoner  I  was  unfortunate  enough  ta 
lose  my  wife — my  companion  in  life  for  twenty-five  years, 
whose  last  expiring  moments  were  embittered  by  the  thoughts 
of  my  suffering,  as  seen  through  the  darkly  colored  recitals 
of  returning  prisoners.  Sorrowing  for  this  unnecessary  grief, 
I  accidentally  became  possessed  of  certain  information,  which 
I  thought  it  my  duty  to  convey  at  once  to  some  one  through 
whom  it  might  be  spread  broadcast  throughout  the  North, 
and  happily  relieve  the  mental  woes  of  thousands  similarly 
situated.  I  was  also  desirous  of  correcting  what  I  conceived 
was  an  accidental  error,  obtaining  great  currency  at  home,  in 
regard  to  the  disposition  of  the  clothing  and  supplies  sent  us 
by  the  Government  and  the  various  charitable  societies,  which 
was  causing  much  ill-feeling  and  some  inconvenience,  as  the 
Confederate  authorities  refused  to  issue  even  our  private- 
boxes  until  it  was  corrected. 

Having,  as  I  supposed,  a  sufficiently  intimate  acquaintance 
with  the  Rev.  Henry  W.  Bellows,  the  eminent  divine  and 
popular  President  of  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission,  I  selected 
him  as  the  most  fitting  person  to  whom  such  a  communication 
should  be  addressed'  arguing  that,  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel, 
and  an  official  disseminator  of  the  truth,  he  would  gladly  avail 
himself  of  the  opportunity  to  pour  oil  on  the  troubled  waters 
and  correct  a  needless  error  ;  but,  for  reasons  of  sufficient 
validity  in  his  judgment,  he  declined  to  publish  the  document 
—leaving  for  our  enemies  to  do  so,  with  their  own  deductions, 
for  his  refusal.  Luckily,  among  the  very  few  articles  brought 
with  me  from  my  prison-house  were  the  notes  from  which  the 
letter  in  question  was  compiled;  and,  although  I  am  unable  to 
give  a  copy  verbatim,  literatim,  et  pitnctuatim,  the  following  is 
sufficiently  near  it  to  answer  all  necessary  purposes  : — 


143 

"  Rev.  W.  H.  BELLOWS,  J 

Pres.  U.  S.  Sanitary  Comm'n,  > 

Washington,  D.  C.  ) 

"  Dear  Sir  :  You  will  doubtless  be  somewhat  surprised  on- 
learning  that  I  have  resumed  my  connection  with  the  Sani 
tary  Commission  in  this  unexpected  locality,  and  hold  my  ap 
pointment  from  the  Confederate  authorities — who,  for  the 
purpose  of  ensuring  and  systematizing  the  delivery  of  clothing, 
subsistence,  and  hospital  stores,  so  bountifully  furnished  by 
the  U.  S.  Government,  The  Christain  Aid  Society  of  Phila 
delphia,  The  Baltimore  American  Relief  Fund,  and  your  own 
most  munificent  and  praiseworthy  association,  have  selected 
five  Federal  officers,  (myself  being  of  the  number,)  to  whom  is 
assigned  the  pleasing  duty;  and,  since  the  tenth  of  November,, 
a  majority  of  them  have  been  continuously  engaged  in  its  per 
formance. 

"  On  Belle  Island,  the  principal  depot  of  the  Federal  prison 
ers,  over  six  thousand  (6,000)  men  have  been  inspected  and 
furnished  with  articles  of  clothing — a  large  number  receiving 
as  many  as  six  different  garments  each.  In  the  city  prisons 
and  hospitals  about  four  thousand  (4,000)  more  have  been 
similarly  appareled,  and  twenty-eight  hundred  (2,800)  outfits 
forwarded  to  Danville  to  meet  the  necessities  of  those  con 
fined  there.  The  clothing  distributed  above,  was  mainly  fur 
nished  by  the  Government  and  your  Commission  ;  and  com 
prised  shoes,  socks,  drawers,  pants,  coats,  shirts,  great  coats, 
or  blankets  and  caps. 

"  The  subsistence  received  from  our  Government  was  not 
confided  to  our  charge,  nor  have  we  any  direct  control  of  the 
hospital  stores  from  the  different  charitable  societies;  although 
we  have  ample  opportunities  of  seeing  large  quantities  dis 
tributed  at  the  various  hospitals.  A  strict  account,  however,, 
as  we  are  informed,  is  being  kept  by  the  officials  in  charge  for 
the  purpose  of  showing  its  disposition. 

"  On  Sunday  last,  a  portion  of  the  Board  visited  the  hospitals 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  personal  knowledge  of  their  con 
dition  and  requirements,  and  decide  how  much  of  the  very 
liberal  donation  (two  thousand  dollars  U.  S.  currency)  placed 
at  our  disposal  by  Brig. -Gen.  James  S.  Wadsworth,  should  be 
invested  for  the  sick  and  wounded.  Whilst  engaged  in  this 
scrutiny  I  had  an  opportunity  of  inspecting  the  books  kept 
at  the  principal  hospital  (in  which  are  included  the  statistics 
of  all  the  others,  known  as  prison  hospitals,)  and  made  the  fol 
lowing  memoranda,  which  I  send  you  for  the  purpose  of  cor 
recting  the  exaggerations  so  prevalent  at  this  moment  through- 


144 

fout  the  North,  commencing,  as  you  will  observe,  with  the 
month  of  June,  and  ending  with  the  past  month  of  November. 
As  accessory  to  the  condensed  statement,  Dr.  Wilkins,  the 
Surgeon-in-Chief,  keeps  a  detailed  account  of  every  death — 
embracing  the  name,  age,  profession,  rank,  company,  regiment, 
place  of  residence,  date,  and  cause  of  mortality  that  has  oc 
curred  since  he  assumed  charge. 

Month.  No.  of  Deaths.  Av.  No.  treated  daily. 

1863.        June,  2  55 

July,  13  85 

August,  6  100 

September,  24  105 

October,  115  500 

November,  346  1050 


Total,         506 

"  This  does  not  include  Belle  Isle,  where,  as  I  learn  from 
unofficial  sources,  the  average  number  of  deaths  for  some 
time  past  ranges  from  twelve  to  fifteen,  more  frequently  the 
lesser  number  j  on  one  occasion  the  number  reached  thirteen, 
but  at  no  time  has  it  exceeded  these  figures.  The  number  of 
graves  amount  by  actual  count  to  seventy-eight.  The  num 
ber  of  prisoners  confined  here  since  the  first  of  August,  has 
averaged  from  four  thousand  to  sixty-seven  hundred,  the  latter 
being  the  present  count. 

"  Of  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  Island,  Lieut.  Y.  Bossieux, 
I  cannot  speak  too  highly.  His  humanity,  his  kindness  of 
heart  and  untiring  efforts  to  secure  the  comfort  and  well- 
being  of  those  placed  in  his  keeping,  entitle  him  to  our  high 
est  respect  and  thanks. 

"  It  is  perhaps  unfortunate  that  there  is  no  regular  hospital 
on  the  Island  for  the  treatment  of  the  several  cases,  especially 
as  a  rise  in  the  river  renders  it  almost  impossible  to  convey 
them  at  the  short  notice  (sometimes  required)  to  the  regular 
hospital  intended  for  them  in  the  city.  This  deficiency  can 
not  but  conduce  in  certain  cases  to  fatal  results,  although  I 
am  not  prepared  to  refer  to  any  such  at  present.* 

"  It  is  a  source  of  deep  regret,  that  the  unnecessary  and  ex 
aggerated  accounts  so  widely  disseminated  by  the  Chaplains 
arid  Surgeons,  who,  with  zealous  haste  abandoned  us,  sick  and 
in  prison  to  our  sins  and  sorrows,  have  been  permitted  to  re- 

*  This  deficiency  was  remedied  within  forty-aight  hours  after  my  letter  was, 
written. 


145 

main  so  long  uncontradictcd.  To  them  we  owe  entirely  the- 
.late  order  prohibiting'  the  further  receipt  of  clothing  and. 
subsistence  ;  and  whilst  we  may  in  charity  accord  to  them  the 
merit  of  striving  to  benefit  us,  the  result  evinces  the  truth  of 
the  well  known  expression, 

•'  Save  us  from  our  friends." 

The  misstatement  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  clothing  arid; 
subsistence  being  officially  corrected,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  the 
amende  honorable  being  made,  that  a  like  liberal  reversal  of 
orders  may  ensue. 

"  Prison  life,  at  best,  is  not  desirable,  nor  can  men  deprived 
of  liberty,  think  amiably  of  their  keepers.  That  many  of  us 
are  suffering  deeply  and  grievously  cannot  be  denied,  but  that 
we  as  a  body  are  suffering  more  deeply  or  more  grievously  than 
any  brave  or  patriotic  man  or  officer  should  be  prepared  to 
do  for  his  cause  or  his  country,  I  will  not  for  an  instant  allow. 

"  In  common  with  my  fellow-prisoners  I  am  most  anxious  to 
return  to  the  comforts  of  home  and  those  I  love,  but  I  disdain, 
being  deemed  a  martyr  for  the  sufferings  undergone  in  Libby 
or  claim  that  my  Government  should  recede  one  inch  from  a 
well  taken  position  for  any  such  considerations  ;  and  although 
I  do  not  speak  for  any  other  than  myself,  I  know  of  many  gen 
tlemen  who  thoroughly  coincide  with  me.  Believing  that  the 
information  I  give  you  will  justify  the  length  of  my  communi 
cation  I  make  no  apology  for  it  but  subscribe  myself, 
Very  respectfully 

Your  obed't  serv't. 

j.  M.  SANDERSON; 

Lt.-Col  A.D.C.  &  C.  S: 

How  anything  in  that  letter  can  be  construed  into  an  ad 
mission  of  "  the  full  delivery  of  the  clothing  and  supplies," 
I  cannot  understand;  nor  do  I  concede  that  by  "  specially  men 
tioning  Lt.  Bossieux,  Commanding  the  Belle  Isle,"  I  was  at  all 
endorsing  the  conduct  of  any  other  official. 

That  we  delivered  twelve  thousand  eight  hundred  suits  of 
clothing  admits  of  no  denial ;  but  was  that  all  that  was  sent 
from  the  North?  And,  in  reference  to  the  subsistence,  I  can 
only  repeat  the  words  of  my  letter,  that  "  although  we  had 
ample  opportunities  of  seeing  large  quantities  distributed  at 
the  various  hospitals,"  we  also  had  good  reason  to  believe  that 
equally  large  quantities  were  distributed  elsewhere. 


146 

As  regards  the  discrepancy  as  to  the  number  of  deaths  on 
Belle  Island,  between  the  committee's  report  and  my  notes,  I 
confess  that  I  am  at  a  loss  to  reconcile  or  understand  it.  It 
may  arise  from  a  clerical  error,  but  if  there  were  seventy-eight 
graves  of  persons  who  had  died  during  the  space  of  six 
months,  the  commonest  acquaintance  with  arithmetic  might 
have  taught  these  astute  gentlemen  that  there  was  a  mistake 
somewhere.  But  coupled  as  it  is  with  so  many  other  misstate- 
ments,  I  am  compelled  perforce  to  ascribe  it  simply  and  solely 
to  their  inability  or  unwillingness  to  speak  the  truth. 

As  a  matter  of  history  it  may  be  proper  to  state  that  my 
first  letter,  in  which  this  subject  of  the  number  of  deaths  was 
much  more  unfavorably  treated,  was  stopped  by  the  Confed 
erate  authorities,  who  required  me  to  show  whence  I  drew 
my  information  that  "  from  two  to  five  were  djing  daily  on 
Belle  Island."  On  learning  that  it  was  based  entirely  on  the 
statements  of  the  men  on  the  Island,  I  was  shown  the  official 
returns  made  by  Lieut.  Bossieux  to  his  commanding  officer  ; 
but  as  the  disparity  was  so  great,  I  refused  to  receive  it  as 
authentic,  and  for  several  days  held  my  letter  in  abeyance, 
undesided  whether  to  forward  it  secretly  or  suppress  it  alto 
gether.  At  length,  it  occurred  to  me  that  a  visit  to  the  grave 
yard  itself  might  settle  definitively  the  mooted  point,  and  on 
mentioning  the  idea  to  Major  Turner,  he  immediately  gave 
orders  to  have  my  companion  and  myself  taken  thither.  Hav 
ing  satisfied  myself  by  inquiry  and  examination  that  each 
.grave  contained  but  a  single  corpse,  I  was  obliged  to  modify 
my  statement  in  accordance  with  the  evidence  thus  presented 
me,  and  thus  corrected  again  sent  forward  my  letter  for  trans 
mission.  After  examining  it ;  I  was  requested  by  the  authori 
ties  to  retain  it  for  a  single  day,  and  then  make  such  modifica 
tions  as  circumstances  would  justify.  On  my  succeeding  visit 
to  the  Island,  I  was  carried  by  Lieut.  Bossieux,  to  inspect  the 
new  hospital  accomodations  then  in  process  of  erection,  and 
introduced  to  the  Surgeon  that  day  assigned  to  duty.  Of 
course,  the  desired  correction  was  made,  and  my  letter  finally 
forwarded  to  its  destination.  Why  it  was  not  published  is  for 
others  to  explain;  what  I  had  written  was  stated  in  good 


147 

faith,  and  based  on  what  I  deemed  proper  and  conclusive  evi 
dence.  My  objects  were  to  correct  error,  assuage  needless 
grief,  obtain  some  mitigation  of  severe  and  unnecessary  re 
striction,  and  show  to  the  enemy  that  some  of  us  at  least,  were 
not  afriad  to  speak  or  to  hear  the  truth  ;  and  although  I  was 
foiled  in  my  intentions.  I  feel  now,  as  then,  that  they  were 
praiseworthy  and  beneficial. 


J  V7/;l  "no/      .tfifoitMiOrfio  6(.l  binnvf  ;;'H><JJ;| 
>j,[lrj/jit   i-io'Y  /rifr.H fc.rj    o)    ir >«•[>)   o'whnojli 

To    IVEAL   I>O\\r 

OikfiHJ     omi  •'^UiF>h     '(.J      i.id-j      'iU(>Y     f)-jYOuf').(5     JtOY     ,)n<!     ,I':-ih/;'[ 

Ex-Brig. -Gen.  of  Volunteers,  and  PhilanthropMst,  OUT  OF  PLACE. 
"  Hath  vice  a 

Charter  got,  that  none  must  rise,  but  such,  who 
Of  the  devil's  faction  are  ?    The  way  to 
Honor  is  not  evermore  the  way  to 
Hell ;  a  virtuous  man  may  climb." 

'  //   ,rifl 

R:        iJ'->   o;Lr    -'-jf    [>'jU;nbaj;1    'ml   •  oone'iQip'i  -wiry    i!-ii(-ir 
That  you   should  have  thrown  the   whole  weight  of  your 

great  ire  upon  so  quiet  a  person  as  myself,  not  only  excites 
my  wonder,  but  provokes  the  astonishment  of  those  to  whom 
you  are  best  known.  An  humble  individual,  I  cannot  but  be 
flattered  at  the  intense  interest  exhibited  in  my  "  sayings  and 
doings,"  which,  to  all  but  yourself,  I  fear,  must  have  appeared 
"  flat,  stale  and  unprofitable."  But  says  the  poet, 

fj\f  '.ri')  rff or )•;>.",  'nr-v.  •j-Frn.'ui.-.-.t  lluwlj  o)  om  IN  /'fiiino-r^J 

..[r>j  "They  oft'dmes  take  more  pains 
Who  look  for  pins,  than  those  who  find  out  stais.'' 

,  '*(-{'*    '/'*  I  OJ  .'. i     J').'J    (>l  (•;::'')) f 'i')';.';") 

•  j  i    ''• ,  j      \'-.\-\     .-'i">      fif      'ij-    .•«(    •(;[/•./    -•    j      K,    !  i 

and  doubtless  the  man  who  impales  the  gnat  conceives  him 
self  as  profitably  employed  as  he  .who  hunts  the  elephant;  that 
a  Brigadier-General  of  so  distinguished  a  name,  however, 
should  have  busied  himself  with  my  affairs,  to  the  exclusion 
of  other  and  graver  duties,  is  both  inexplicable  and  flattering. 
Your  great  merits  as  a  would-be  reformer  were  not  unknown 


148 

-iv<.  I  I  .h;dw  flt>  fr.>*fc<;f  brm  .:r  u 

to  me,  for  among  my  earliest  business  recollections  is  engrafted 

the  name  of  NEAL  Dow,  and  the  "  Maine  Liquor  Law  ;''  and 
although  a  thousand  miles  intervened  between  us,  and  our 
specialties  were  antagonistic,  I  did  not  withhold  a  limited 
admiration  for  one  whose  efforts  I  supposed  to  be  earnest  and 
sincere.  Temperate  myself,  I  could  pleasurably  partake  of 
"  the  goods  the  Gods  give  us  "  without  excess  and  without 
alloy  :  but  unfortunately  there  are  those  among  us  who  are 
not  so  happily  constituted,  and  to  reform  these  I  hoped  your 
labors  would  be  efficacious.  Your  law  being  sumptuary,  and 
therefore  open  to  censure,  was  nevertheless  philanthropic 
and  aimed  ostensibly  at  the  public  good.  It  was  tried,  and 
failed,  but  you  achieved  your  end  by  riding  into  public 
notority,  although  on  a  weak-kneed-hobby.  When  this  ac 
cursed  rebellion  broke  out,  as  a  prominent  politician  of  the 
dominant  party,  you  were  an  early  applicant  for  high  military 
honors.  A  soldier  neither  by  constitution  or  training,  you 
mistook  your  calling,  and  no  friend  loved  you  enough  to  cor 
rect  your  error.  As  Colonel  of  a  regiment,  you  might  have 
been  profitably  employed  in  civic  duties,  without  displaying 
too  much,  your  ignorance  ;  but  fascinated  by  the  glare  of 
command,  you  sought  and  obtained,  undeservedly  higher 
rank. 


"  It  is  an  unfortunate  thing  for  fools,  that  their  pretensions  should  rise  in 
an  inverse  ratio  with  their  abilities,  and  their  presumption  with  their  weak- 


You  did  not  belie  the  sentiment.  It  is  perhaps,  not 
becoming  in  me  to  dwrell  too  minutely  on  your  actions  'ere  we 
met  ;  but  I  may  mention,  as  a  matter  of  history,  that  your 
eagerness  to  get  in  to  the  only  fight  in  which  you  were  ever 
engaged,  was  barely  excelled  by  your  haste  to  get  out  of  it : 
and  it  has  been  suggested  that  having  forgotten  something, 
your  ardor  in  its  recovery  carried  you  so  far  to  the  rear  that 
the  enemy  found  you  quite  out  of  your  own  lines  like 

"  Vaulting  ambition,  which  overleaps  itself 
And  falls  on  the  other  side." 

Thrown,  during  my  military  life,  into  constant  association 


U9 

with  such  men  as  Wads  worth,  Reynolds,  Meade,  and  others, 
(then  but  Brigadier-Generals,)  my  standard  of  that  rank  was 
high  ;  and,  I  confess,  I  was  quite  unprepared  for  the  speci 
men  for  the  first  time  presented  me  in  prison.  Shortly  after 
my  arrival  in  Libby,  whilst  watching  with  curious  eye  scenes 
so  novel  and  characters  so  queer,  my  attention  was  drawn  to 
a  little  man,  armed  with  a  huge  hammer,  who,  ever  and  anon 
sinking  from  view,  belabored  the  floor  with  heavy  blows. 
Amused  at  the  extreme  seriousness  infused  into  this  appar 
ently  aimless  operation,  I  at  length  inquired  of  a  bystander 
what  that  little  man  was  doing. 

"Driving  nails,"  was  the  curt  reply. 

'•  He 's  a  carpenter,  then  ?" 

"  No,  Sir  ;  he  's  a  Brigadier-General.     That 's  Neal  Dow." 

All  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  having  for  their 
object  your  exchange  for  a  certain  number  of  pianos,  (al 
leged  to  have  been  "  appropriated  to  your  own  use,")  coming 
to  naught,  you  were  sent  to  Mobile,  as  we  were  informed, 
for  trial.  There  you  remained  for  more  than  four  months  ; 
returning  to  us,  as  I  remember,  in  the  last  week  of  October, 
with  "  a  light  heart  and  a  thin  pair  of  breeches." 

As  has  been  stated  already  in  my  defence,  some  flunkey 
(Atwood,  I  believe,)  suggested  your  being  taken  into  our  mess, 
as  being  the  best  in  the  prison,  and  therefore  most  suitable 
for  a  Brigadier-General  ;  but,  not  being  able  to  see  it  in  that 
light,  I  decidedly  objected.  That  you  were  made  acquainted 
with  my  reasons  for  this  refusal — that  you  were  neither  an 
officer  nor  a  gentleman, — any  one  cognizant  of  Atwood's  pro 
pensities  cannot  for  an  instant  doubt.  That  you  should  be 
angry,  and  desire  to  hold  no  further  intercourse  with  me  is 
neither  to  be  wondered  at  nor  criticised.  Two  people  were 
pleased.  Necessity  subsequently  compellod  mo  to  apply  to 
you  for  what  I  was  perfectly  entitled  to.  Your  conduct  on 
each  occasion  was  short  and  discourteous.  Undeterred  by 
your  ungentlemanly  manner,  I  persisted  until  succes, -Tul.  I 
owe  you  no  thanks,  as  I  asked  no  favor  ;  and  no  one  admires 
a  mule  simply  for  his  bray. 

Selected  by  you  own  Government  as  the  most  proper  per- 


150 

son  (because  the  ranking  officer)  to  distribute  its  generous 
bounty  to  its  suffering  soldiers,  you  were  taken  to  Belle  Isle> 
by  the  Confederates,  with  something  for  them  of  deference 
and  respect.  An  ambulance,  as  I  heard,  was  provided,  and 
you  Avere  permitted  to  address  the  men  without  restraint. 
The  incident,  as  related  to  me,  was  characteristic.  Mounting 
the  highest  point  on  the  parapet,  you  asked  attention,  and 
thus  delivered  yourself : — 


!  j  !  I'l .'  >  ( I O    !J.8 1> Jj l 


"  Comrades  and  Fellow-soldiers !  I  have  come  here  at  the 
request  of  your  Government  and  my  own  to  inquire  into  your 
grievances,  and  redress  your  wrongs.  I  have  a  large  amount 
of  food  and  clothing  sent  me  by  our  good  rulers  at  home  for 
distribution  among  you  all.  There  is,  I  believe,  an  ample  sup 
ply,  with  the  expectation  of  more  coming  ;  and  I  want  all  of 
you  who  are  naked  or  hungry,  to  come  to  me.  Come  oner 
come  all !" 
riirnro  (  '/  r-ri  ITY/O  'inny  o.)  l?ojj!rn!<:/:rj <:[.«; "  Good  ovru  oi  ' 

Jlnd  they  came  !  Five  thousand  half  naked  and  half  starved 
sufferers,  with  piles  of  well-filled  boxes  almost  within  their 
grasp,  needed  no  second  invitation.  Pouring  forth  from  tents, 
and  holes,  and  burrows,  they  pressed  on  every  side.  Surging 
and  swaying  like  waves  of  the  sea,  they  trampled  and  crushed 
each  other,  whilst  striving  to  reach  the  narrow  exit,  until  the 
weaker  dropped  from  exhaustion,  or  were  borne  unresistingly 
along ;  you,  in  the  meanwhile,  wringing  your  hands  like  a 
frightened  child  at  this  tempest  of  year  own  raising.  Fortu 
nately,  the  Commandant  of  the  Island,  Lt.  Bossieux,  in  spite 
of  his  fear  that  this  living  flood  would  carry  away  all  obstruc 
tions,  succeeded  in  driving  back  the  out-cropping  crowd, 
without  injury  to  a  man.  After  this  evidence  of  your  forensic 
powers,  any  further  exhibition  thereof  was  pretermitted. 
"'  Of  these  matters  I  am  not  personally  cognizant,  but  think 
they  can  be  substantiated  "  by  better  testimony  than  that  ad 
duced  by  you  to  my  desired  ruin."  At  all  events,  the  incident 

is  so  semblable  that  we  may  say  with  the  Italians — 

n:f;;!>:.'  -•••  >  CM  I;::;  ;  "ro7.?  fif/:^;  J  .-..  ,?,/fmm'J  «  ?:  wy  owo 

"  Si  non  e  vero,  e  ben  trovato." 

Impressed   by  the   sufferings  of  the   unfortunate  on   that 


151 

prison  Isle,  you  very  properly  sought  to  obtain  some  ameliora 
tion  of  its  horrors.  To  effect  this,  you  addressed  a  protest  to 
Gen.  Winder,  which  (as  you  yourself  have  stated)  was 
couched  in  strong  and  earnest  language — so  strong  and  so* 
earnest  that  it  gained  for  you,  at  least,  relief.  Taking  into 
consideration  the  fact  that  thousands  of  your  fellow-creatures 
were  most  deeply  interested  in  the  success  of  your  efforts,  it 
may  be  regarded  by  the  thoughtless  and  uninitiated  as  being 
unfortunate  that  your  Roman  firmness  and  Spartan  Stoicism 
would  not  permit  you  to  unbend  at  this  momentous  instant  ; 
but,  with  the  keen  instincts  of  a  shrewd  politician,  you  felt 
that  it  would  have  ruined  you  in  the  eyes  of  your  blatant  as" 
sociates,  had  you  yielded  an  iota  of  derision  and  scorn,  of 
crimination  and  defiance  to  the  common  foe  ;  and,  in  order  to 
enjoy  the  political  honors  of  supposed  martyrdom  at  home,, 
you  gained  for  your  comrades  the  physical  endurance  of  real 
martyrdom  there.  With  this  hope  you  had  your  say  ;  and,  as 
a  consequence,  you  were  relieved,  but  the  real  sufferers  were 
not.  At  least,  such  is  }rour  claim  ;  but,  unfortunately,  even 
this  thin  lamina  of  plated  patriotism  is  abraded,  and  the 
pinchbeck  basis  begins  to  appear.  One  of  your  own  witnesses, 
the  Rebel  Lieutenant  who  is  charged  with  having  remon 
strated  with  me  for  my  cruelty,  suddenly  appears  on  the 
scene  and  swears  that  you  wrere  relieved^  at.  his  request,  be 
cause  your  "manner  of  doing  business  was  so  unsystematic 
and  loose'7  that  he  was  forced  to  ask  for  others  to  be  appointed 
in  your  place.  This  same  witness  also  swears  that  the  "  men 
who  had  left  friends,  business,  and  comfortable  homes  to  help 
save  their  country  from  being  blotted  out  of  the  map  of  na 
tions, — many  of  them  educated  gentlemen," — absolutely  cursed 
you  !  and  that,  in  your  anger,  you  characterised  them  as  "  the 
rakings  and  scrapings  of  Europe."  Then  it  was  your  ox  that 
was  gored  ;  but,  like  a  Christian,  you  forgave  them  when  they 
cursed  me.  At  his  request,  then,  you  were  superseded  by 
your  juniors  in  rank,  but  your  seniors  in  judgment;  and,  finally, 
the  man  you  most  hated  became  your  successor — reaping 
laurels  which  you  had  sown,  and  gathering  honors  where  you 
had  planted.  From  this  moment  your  rage  against  me  cul~~ 


152 

minated,  and  from  that  era  I  was  doomed  to  have  greatness 
thrust  upon  me. 

"  The  power  to  give  creates  us  all  our  foes.'' 

But  ignoring  the  many  evils  thus  warded  from  your  head, 
you  ungratefully  exaggerate  my  shortcomings,  and  heighten 
•my  pernicious  doings ;  whilst  I,  poor  soul,  unconscious  that  a 
.Brigadier-General  was  chronicling  my  life,  or 

"  A  chiel  amang  us,  takin  notes," 

•pursued   the    even   tenor  of  my  way,   without   heeding  my 
biographer,  or  even  "throwing  a  sop  to  Cerberus." 

The  status  of  a  military  spy,  though  his  function  be  neces 
sary,  has  never  been  deemed  honorable.  The  risks  they  run, 
and  the  dangers  they  encounter,  though  worthy  of  the  bravest, 
fail  to  impress  the  thinking  public  with  the  slightest  sympa 
thy  with  their  fate,  or  respect  for  their  name.  The  genius  of 
a  Cooper  is  insufficient  to  rescue  from  partial  infamy  the 
memory  of  one  of  the  best  of  his  class;  and  even  the  virtues 
of  an  Andre*  could  not  ennoble  his  specious  calling.  For 
the  social  spy,  there  is  not  even  the  poor  apology  so  grudg 
ingly  granted  his  military  prototype.  In  public  life,  the 
meanest  position  is  that  of  a  detective ;  and  who  among  the 
honorable,  young  or  old,  does  not  despise  the  "  tell-tale'7  or  the 
"informer"?  In  the  army  we  have  the  Inspector,  whose 
duties  though  prying,  are  nevertheless  open  and  legitimate, 
necessary  and  improving.  The  self-constitnted  Censorship 
instituted  by  you  in  Libby  possesses  none  of  these  advanta 
ges.  Simply,  covert  and  tortuous,  punishment  and  revenge 
were  its  only  objects. 

"  It  is  a  note 

Of  upstart  greatness  to  observe  and  watch 
For  tho^e  poor  trifles,  which  the  noble  mind 
Neglects  and  scorns." 

Your  ardent  imagination;  however,  went  further  ;  for  where 
the  hoped  for  fault  came  tardily  to  light,  you  played  the  part 


153 

<oF  midwife,  and  assisted  in  the  delvery.  In  my  case,  if  fame 
belies  you  not,  you  tried  to  impregnate  me,  unconscious, 
with  crimes,  and  then  attempted  the  "  Cesarean  operation," 
but  lacking  obstetrical  skill,  you  only  produced  an  abortion. 
Your  unfortunate  victim  is  now  "  doing  as  well  as  could  be 
expected/7  whilst  you  are  poisoned  by  your  own  virus. 

';  The  man  recovered  from  the  bite 
The  dog  it  was  that  died!'7 

Your  career  in  the  army  has  been  one  of  the  mysteries  of 
the  war.  Why  you  went  into  it,  no  one  could  tell ;  how  you 
got  out  of  it,  no  one  would  say.  Let  me  try  my  hand  in 
guessing  at  both.  Indebted  for  whatever  of  reputation  you 
may  have  possessed,  to  a  wrong-headed  and  impracticable 
idea,  you  were  foisted  on  the  army  and  the  people  as  the  prop- 
-erest  champion  to  encounter  King  Cotton,  because,  forsooth, 
you  had  once  a  tussel  with  King  Alcohol ;  but  finding  cold 
iron  more  uncongenial  than  cold  tuater,  you  turned  your  atten 
tion  to  the  Harmonies,  making  up  in  the  Piano  what  you 
lacked  in  the  Forte.  Thrown,  necessarily,  into  association 
with  military  men,  you  soon  discovered  that  deeds,  not  words, 
were  the  current  coin  among  soldiers  •  and  finding  you  could 
not  emulate  their  virtues,  sought  to  surpass  their  vices. 
Your  tongue  was  sharpened,  not  your  sword.  Confusing  the 
democratic  creed  with  the  Revised  Regulations,  you  firmly 
believed  all  men  were  born  free  and  equal,  but,  as  Brigadier- 
•General,  you  were  entitled  to  most  of  the  spoils.  Ever  a 
politician,  you  only  regarded  man  as  a  voter,  and  carried  into 
camp  the  traditions  of  the  hustings.  Never  having  "seta 
squadron  in  the  field  " — without  the  knowledge  or  the  ability  to 
command — accustomed  only  to  the  strategy  of  the  polls — alike 
incapable  of  compelling  respect,  or  exciting  admiration,  you 
:stood  confessedly,  a  pigmy  among  giants,  a  lamentable  picture 
of  political  preferment.  Powerless  to  gain  honors,  you  sought 
to  gain  wealth ;  and  in  an  incredible  short  period  acquired  a 
notoriety  for  practising 

"The  good  old  plan, 
To  keep  all  you  get,  and  get  all  you  can," 


154 

equalled  by  none  since  the  days  of  the  Gaelic  chief.  Many 
generations  will  pass  away  before  the  name  of  Neal  Dow  is 
buried  in  oblivion,  for 

"  The  evil  that  men  do  lives  after  them  5 
The  good  is  oft  interred  with  their  bones." 

I  much  doubt,  however,  that  your  coffin  will  be  crowded  with 
the  virtues.  At  length,  derelict  in  your  duty,  and  whilst  ex 
hibiting  a  bad  example,  you  were  taken  by  an  enraged  and 
plundered  foe  and  carried  to  prison.  Here  you  exhibited  an 
other  phase.  Undignified,  petty  arid  selfish, — resembling  in 
person  and  dress  an  old  woman,  and  in  disposition  and  tem 
per  a  malicious  boy,  you  threw  aside  the  dignity  of  the  officer 
in  discarding  the  uniform,  and  in  assuming  the  character  of 
a  commissioned  "  tell  tale,"  strove  to  wring  from  the  fears  of 
your  comrades,  that  consideration  and  respect  they  could  not 
accord  to  your  position  or  person.  On  reaching  your  own 
lines,  you  endeavored  by  specious  tales  and  gross  misrepresen 
tations,  to  excite  commiseration  for  unexperienced  wrongs, 
and  in  order  to  exalt  your  own  patriotism  decried  that  of 
others. 

Fatigued  at  length  with  your  flatulence,  and  alarmed  at  the 
accumulating  evidence  of  your  malfeasance,  the  Government 
looked  coldly  upon  you,  and  an  unofficial  intimation  that  your 
resignation  would  be  accepted,  secured  the  coveted  document  j 
although  two  weeks  had  hardly  elapsed  since  you  publicly 
stated  your  determination  to  rejoin  your  command,  and  fight 
it  out  to  the  bitter  end. 

Such,  in  brief,  is  your  record.  To  elaborate  it  demands  an 
abler  pen.  You  are  now,  fortunately  for  the  cause,  out  of  the 
service.  The  last  of  a  long  list  of  incapables,  whatever  of 
shame  or  dishonor  entails  upon  our  section,  owes  its  origin  to 
such  as  you.  War  among  a  pacific  people,  in  its  inchoate 
state,  is  always  subject  to  such  evils,  and  such  pretenders. 

"In  civil  broils,  the  worst  of  men  may  rise." 
Unfortunately,  however,  not  only  humanity,  but  morality,  is 


155 

scandalized  by  such  men,  who,  as  a  witty  writer  once  said,. 
"  pray  one  day  on  their  knees  and  six  days  on  their  neighbors.'7" 

A  few  days  ago  the  pleasure-seeking  portion  of  our  resi-  . 
dents  were  electrified  by  the  announcement  that  Heller,  the 
prince  of  tricksters,  would  in  full  sight  of  the  audience,  cause- 
a  human  being  to  become  invisible.  Placing  his  subject  in  a 
deep  recess,  directly  against  a  white  surface,  he  suddenly 
threw  the  bright  rays  of  a  concealed  light  between  it  and  the- 
audience,  from  whose  view  it  immediately  disappeared.  A  few 
moments  after,  the  Gyges,  as  it  is  termed1,  advanced  a  pace  or 
two,  directly  into  the  rays  of  the  light,  and  became  not  only 
visible  but  transparent,  for  immediately  behind  him,  and  seem 
ingly  through  him,  was  seen  a  fantastic  figure  reminding  one 
of  the  traditionary  enemy  of  mankind — the  Devil.  So  with 
pseudo-philanthropy,  as  reviewed  by  the  admiring  world  the- 
grosser  particles  are  hidden  by  the  bright  beams  evolved  by 
Charity  and  Humanity,  but  a  nearer  approach  proves  them  to- 
be  very  transparent,  disclosing  other- and  more  ignoble  senti 
ments  behind  them.  In  your  case  is  presented  the  spectacle 
of  one,  once  honored  and  respected,  struggling  to  gain  mere 
tricious  applause  by  super-erogant  censure  of  your  fellows,, 
and  when  subjected  to  the  same  analytical  test,  proving  but 
base  alloy. 

It  is  not  uncommon,  however,  to  find  men  specially  virtuous 
on  one  point,  remarkably  vicious  on  all  others  •  or,  as  is  more 
elegantly  expressed  by  the  poet, 

"  Compound  Tor  sins  they  are  inclined  to, 
By  damning  those  they  have  no  mind  to  ;'7 

111  years  gone  by  the  City  of  Philadelphia  rejoiced  in  a 
physician  whose  proficiency  was  almost  equalled  by  his  pro 
fanity.  Visiting  one  day  in  the  family  of  a  noted  Quaker,  a 
violent  storm  arose  just  as  he  was  leaving.  Turning  to  his 
patient,  who  was  ranked  as  one  of  the  shrewdest  of  his  de 
nomination,  he  requested  the  loan  of  his  great  coat. 

"  On  one  condition  only,  Doctor,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Name  it," 


156 

"  Thee  must  promise  me  not  to  use  profane  language  while 
thee  wears  it,  for  it  is  a  garment  formed  of  good  habits." 

"  Very  well/7  responded  the  Doctor,  "  I'll  promise."  On  the 
following  day  as  he  returned  the  coat,  the  disciple  of  Penn  close 
ly  questioned  him  as  to  the  performance  of  the  stipulation. 

"  Thou'rt  sure  thee  did  not  swear,  while  wearing  it,  Doc 
tor  ?" 

"  Oh  no  !"  retorted  the  medico,  "  I  hadn't  the  slightest  de 
sire  to  swear,  but  the  d — est  inclination  to  lie  and  steal  !" 

Substitute  "  drinking  "  for  "  swearing  "  and  the  coat  might 
prove  as  good  a  fit  as  "  the  Captains"  did  of  yore. 

It  was  a  barefaced,  but  most  approved,  plan  to  cry  "  stop 
thief "  to  me,  at  the  very  moment  you  were  enjoying  your 
own  ill-gotten  spoils.  But  robbery,  like  murder,  will  some 
times  out,  when  least  expected.  You  opened  your  mouth,  in 
Portland,  and  performed  that  extraordinary  acrobatic  feat  of 
""  putting  your  foot  in  it,"  recalling  to  mind  your  query,  "  did 
ever  a  man  drink  without  making  a  beast  of  himself?"  and 
my  answer,  "  did  ever  you  talk  without  making  an  ass  of  your 
self?" 

When  you  told  "  that  little  story  "  about  the  two  heavy 
trunks,  you  didn't,  then,  "  see  the  nut  of  the  joke."  The  laugh 
come  in  now,  but  I  hardly  think  you  will  enjoy  it.  And,  by 
the  way,  that  story  was  unfinished.  Lot  me  supply  the  sequel. 
As  you  were  saying,  you  brought  away  from  Libby  Prison 
"  two  large  heavy  trunks  "  for  which  the  rebels  refused  you 
transportation,  forcing  you  to  call  upon  your  brother  officers 
to  assist  you,  a  contingency  already  forseen  weeks  previous, 
-according  to  Adj't  Knaggs  ;  and  subjecting  you  tobesnubked 
•by  a  junior  officer,  according  to  Col.  Farnsworth.  On  reach 
ing  the  Federal  flag  of  truce  boat,  you  met  Brig. -Gen.  Lee,  for 
whom  you  were  exchanged,  although  it  was  generally  sup 
posed  that  Miss  Belle  Boyd  had  been  made  your  equivalent. 
This  officer,  just  fresh  from  "  God's  Country"  leaving  his  com 
rades  well-fed  and  well  cared  for,  with  every  opportunity  for 
supplying  himself  with  those  comforts  of  wrhich  his  own  sec 
tion  was  reputed  so  bare,  contented  himself  with  a  small  valise, 
the  weight  of  which  caused  but  little  inconvenience  to  the 


157 

bearer  ;  whilst  you,  direct  from  a  prison  replete  with  horrors,, 
parting  with  a  thousand  comrades  whose  sufferings  gripe  your 
sympathetic  heart  in  the  recital,  "  half-naked  and  half-starved,'7 
coming  to  a  land  overflowing  with  milk  and  honey,  where 
everything  you  brought  was  plenty  and  cheap,  carried  with 
you  two  large  heavy  trunks,  filled  with  articles  for  which  your 
fellow-prisoners  were  suffering,  one  half,  at  least,  of  which  were 
not  your  own  1  How  does  the  contrast  strike  you  ?  When 
about  to  leave  the  Federal  Steamer,  this  "man  of  war"  quietly 
seized  his  small  valise,  was  on  the  point  of  carrying  it  him 
self  to  the  other  boat,  when  the  gallant  and  accomplished 
Mulford,  who  is  brave  enough  to  be  courteous  even  to  an 
enemy,  ordered  the  Sergeant  to  relieve  him  of  the  burden; 
then  what  dids't  thou,  thou  "  man  of  water  ?" 

"  Put  that  valise  down,  Sergeant,"  these  were  your  jivords- 
as  repeated  to  me  ;  "  /forbid  you  to  touch  it!  When  1  left 
Richmond,  the  Confederates  would  give  me  no  assistance,  and 
you  shall  give  him  none  !" 

"  Sergeant !"  calmly  replied  the  unmoved  Colonel  ;  "  You 
will  do  as  I  bid  you  !  Gen.  Dow,  I  have  nothing  whatever  to 
do  with  your  treatment  by  the  Confederates  :  I  simply  know 
what  devolves  upon  me,  and  I  shall  do  it,  regardless  of  your 
wishes  or  the  conduct  of  others.  If  they  forget  what  is  due 
to  an  officer,  /  do  not." 

For  the  truth  of  this  I  do  not  vouch,  not  being  present  ;  in 
fact  I  was  as  far  distant,  at  that  moment,  from  the  point  in 
question  as  you  ivere  when  you  learned  that  I  had  betrayed 
you  to  the  Rebels  ;  but,  as  I  have  before  remarked,  in  Italian, 
"  if  it  be  not  true,  it  is  well-founded.7' 

But,  speaking  of  Italians,  let  me  bring  to  your  notice  a 
single  item  in  the  vast  aggregate  of  your  charges  against  me. 
"  Col.  di  Cesnola,  of  the  4th  N.  Y.  Cavalry  (an  officer  of  the 
Sardinian  army)  saw,  heard,  and  knew  much  of  Col.  SANDERSON, 
and  for  the  last  two  or  three  months  held  no  communication, 
whatever  with  him — so  certain  was  his  conviction  of  his  infi 
delity  to  the  country.  He  will  gladly  furnish  any  information 
in  his  possession,  as  he  believes  the  good  of  the  service  re 
quires  Col.  SANDERSON'S  dismissal  from  it."  Col.  Cesnola,  on 


158 

being  called  upon  to  furnish  this  information,  briefly  replies : 
I  have  never  made  such  an  assertion,  nor  have  I  authorized 
any  officer  to  make  it  in  my  name.  To  accuse  a  man  of  being 
a  traitor  or  disloyal  to  his  country  requires  a  great  deal  of  evi 
dence  to  show  it ;  and  I  am  happy  to  say  that  I  have  not  seen 
any  evidence  which  would  justify  me  in  calling  Col.  SANDER- 
BON  by  such  a  name." 

?Twas  shrewdly  conceived,  arid  came  near  to  be  successful, 
counting  on  my  proud  spirit  and  disinclination  to  parley  with 
a  foe,  and  laying  some  stress  perhaps  on  the  revengeful  char 
acter  of  his  nation,  you  felt  safe  in  putting  such  words  into 
Cesnola's  mouth,  knowing  the  ill-feeling  existing  between  us  ; 
but  you  forgot  he  was  a  soldier  and  a  gentleman.  Satisfied 
in  my  own  mind  that,  however  inimical  he  might  feel  towards 
me  personally,  he  was  of  approved  courage ;  and,  as 

"  None  but  cowards  lie," 

I  did  not  hesitate  an  instant,  but  addressed  him  the  very  first 
letter  I  indited  after  learning  the  charges  against  me.  This, 
unfortunately,  miscarried.  Two  months  after,  I  sent  him  an 
other;  but  this,  under  a  mistaken  impression  of  the  power  of 
the  Commission,  he  declined  to  answer  in  writing,  preferring 
to  testify  in  person.  Convinced,  nevertheless,  that  you  had 
misrepresented  him,  I  then  called  on  him  ;  and,  after  fully 
stating  the  character  of  the  Court,  and  the  injurious  effect  of 
your  statement  in  thus  misquoting  him,  he  unhesitatingly  gave 
the  desired  reply — distinctly  fastening  upon  you 

j':i;i  .  <;An  odious,  damned  lie  ; 
Upon  my  soul,  a  lie — a  wicked  lie!7' 

Before  dismissing  you,  as  I  trust,  forever,  I  must  relate  an 
incident  so  apposite  in  its  character  as  to  excuse  its  introduc 
tion. 

Sauntering  through  the  town  some  days  ago,  my  attention 
was  attracted  to  a  water  tank,  exposed  at  the  door  of  a  dealer 
in  such  commodities.  Amused  by  the  gambols  of  the  deni 
zens  of  this  watery  world,  I  stopped  to  scan  them.  The 


159 

keeper  of  the  shop — an  ancient  and  a  hoary  man,  redolent  of 
tar,  and  a  "most  fish-like  smell,"  scenting  in  me  a  probable 
customer,  emerged  from  his  lair  to  chaunt  his  wares.  Prime 
in  order  he  praised  the  Carp — that  popinjay  of  fishes,  with  its 
rich  golden,  scarlet,  and  varied  bands  of  pearly  pink,  forming 
the  semblance  of  a  button,  bringing  vividly  to  my  rnind  your 
"  get  up"  in  prison  ;  when,  arrayed  in  all  your  glory,  you  ex 
hibited  yourself  to  the  wondering  gaze  of  verdant  "Johnnies," 
who.  fresh  from  the  backwoods,  were  undecided  whether  to 
regard  you  as  a  Turkish  Bey  or  a  scare-crow.  As  this  thought 
came  into  my  head,  I  smiled  ;  whereat  my  piscatory  Mentor, 
finding  me  inclined  to  be  merry,  narrated  many  wonderful 
traits  of  the  finny  tribe.  Of  one  that,  though  quick,  comely, 
and  interesting,  he  was  nevertheless  a  disagreeable  inmate  of 
an  aquarium — being  exceedingly  quarrelsome,  and  having  a 
bad  habit  of  attacking  the  eyes  of  its  comrades,  in  order  to 
blind  them  to  its  own  peculiarities  :  this  was  the  Sucker.  Of 
another,  that  throve  as  well  in  hot  as  in  cold  water.  Of  a 
third,  that  he  pilfered  the  Whelk-shell  of  his  covering  ;  whilst 
a  fourth,  in  turn,  deprived  him  of  his  prey. 

Oh,  fish,  fish  !  how  art  thou  fleshified  !" 

But  what  particularly  claimed  my  attention  was  a  species  of 
watery  mushroom,  which  belonged,  as  I  was  informed,  to  the 
family  of  "  Anemones "  and  rejoiced  in  the  name  of  Actinia 
Carneola,  which,  being  indigenous  to  the  State  of  Maine,  you 
may  possibly  know.  Its  peculiarities  also  may  properly  com 
mend  it  to  your  notice.  With  its  "  tentackles,"  as  my  inform 
ant  termed  them,  which  are  outspreading  and  grasping,  it 
seizes  everything  that  comes  in  its  way,  and  is  noted  as  being 
the  biggest  thief  in  the  tank. 

"By  the  way  Captin,"  said  this  hoary  Fishmonger,  "it 
always  reminds  me  of  a  little  story,  and  as  it  only  takes  a 
minute,  I'll  tell  it  to  you.  In  days  gone  by  when  abolitioners 
were  not  so  plenty  as  at  present,  a  few  earnest  seekers  after 
truth  having  by  great  good  luck,  secured  an  old  sea  dog  fresh 
from  the  coast  of  Africa,  plied  him  with  questions  as  to  the 
manners,  habits  and  customs  of  the  native,  in  his  free  and  un- 


160 

converted  state,  until  they  Lad  exhausted  as  they  supposed 
every  subject  under  the  sun.  As  they  were  about  to  leave 
him,  however,  one  of  them  bethought  himself  of  their  religious 
state,  and  earnestly  asked  of  the  well-pumped  sailor  ;  '  Cap 
tain,  do  the  negroes  in  Dahomey  keep  Sunday  ?'  " 

"  Keep  Sunday  1"  replied  the  astonished  son  of  Neptune — 
"  Yes,  and  every  other  darned  thing  they  can  lay  their  hands  on  /" 

I  greatly  marveled,  as  I  wended  my  way,  if  you  had  ever 
visited  Dahomey. 

And  now,  farewell.  For  the  good  you  have  unintentionally 
done  me,  I  thank  you;  that  you  have  failed  is  no  fault  of 
yours.  You  did  your  best,  and  if  you  lacked  success  it  was 
simply  because 

"  Slander  meets  no  regard  from  noble  minds, 
Only  the  base  believe,  what  the  base  only  utter.'' 

With  these,  at  least,  you  are  not  without  credit,  and  from  them 
you  cannot  fail  to  obtain  your  meed  of  praise  for  the  malice 
with  which  you  have  pursued  me ;  for  the  persistence  you 
have  manifested  in  seeking  my  dishonor ;  for  the  industry  you 
have  exhibited  in  gathering  my  "  sayings  and  doings ;"  for  the 
pertinacity  you  have  displayed  in  planting  your  calumnies ; 
and  especially  for  the  total  disregard  for  truth,  honor  and  jus 
tice  which  has  marked  your  whole  conduct  in  this  affair.  To 
such  sympathizers  I  cheerfully  commend  you,  assuring  you 
that  from  myself  you  shall  ever  have  my  heartiest  contempt, 
and  my  sincerest  prayers  for  your  speedy  return  to  the  paths 
of  virtue  and  honesty. 

Yours,  &c.,  &c., 

JAMES  M.  SANDERSON. 


APPENDIX. 


Annexed  will  be  found  such  evidence  as  has  not  already  been  quoted  by  the 
Commission,  but  which  i.s  added  to  substantiate  certain  points  in  my  defence, 
prime  among  them  my  charges  against Streight  for  ungentlemnnly  and  cowardly 
conduct,  and  ag.dnst  Dow  for  knavery  and  sneaking.  As  these  persons  were 
not  on  trial  before  the  Commission,  the  members  thereof,  very  properly, did  not 
deem  themselves  called  upon  to  pass  on  the  testimony  affecting  their  character 
further  than  a  mere  notice  of  my  principal  accuser.  But  as  I  now  arraign  him 
before  the  great  bar  of  Public  Opinion,  I  add  the  proofs  on  which  I  base  mj 
charges. 

A  LETTER  FROM  BRIG.  GEN.  A.  E.  SIIIRAS. 

Office  Comniy  Gen'l  of  Subsistence, 
WASHINGTON  CITY,  March  4,  1805. 
JAMES  M.  SANDERSON, 

Late  LI  Col  &  C.  S.  V.— 

SIR  :  In  reply  to  yours  of  the  7th  inst.  I  would  respectfully  state  that  I  first 
knew  you  in  the  early  part  of  the  Rebellion,  and  that  you  were  then  engaged, 
in  connection  with  the  Sanitary  Commission,  in  teaching  and  instructing  the  Vol- 
un'eer  troops  in  cooking  their  rations. 

Your  status  as  an  Issuing  and  Disbursing  officer,  whilst  in  this  Department, 
was  excellent. 

Whilst  Chief  C.  S.  of  the  First  Corps,  I  never  heard  of  any  fault  found  with 
you  in  the  execution  of  your  duties. 

Your  accounts  with  this  office  are  closed,  and  I  am  not  aware  of  any  indebt 
edness  to  this  Department  for  property  or  funds. 

My  knowledge  is  not  positive,  but  I  am  under  the  impression  that   whilst 
serving  with  the  Sanitary  Commission,  you  did  it  gratuitously. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obed't  serv't, 

A.  E.  SHIRAS, 

Bt.Brig.  Gen'l  A.  C.  G.  8. 


II 

FROM  BRIG.  GEX.  WM.  POWELL. 
[Commanding  2d  Cavalry  Div..  Dept.  of  West  Virginia.'} 

SIR  :  During  the  month  of  October,  1863,  I  recollect  distinctly  of  your  visit 
ing  the  hospital,  and  of  your  remaining  but  a  day  or  so.  While  there,  in  con 
versation  with  me,  you  called  my  attention  to  the  fact  of  a  secret  organization 
among  the  officers  in  Libby  Prison,  looking  towards  an  attempt  to  escape.  I 
cautioned  you  at  the  time,  as  to  whom  you  mentioned  the  matter.  I  afterwards 
learned  that  you  spoke  of  it  to  the  Ward  Master,  who  was  a  citizen  prisoner 
from  Iowa — his  name  I  cannot  now  call  to  mind ;  he,  however,  spoke  of  the 
matter  to  another  citizen  prisoner,  a  Mr.  Vermillion  from  Iowa,  who,  I  have  no 
doubt,  did  communicate  the  matter,  in  reference  to  the  existence  of  a  secret  or 
ganization,  to  the  Rebel  authorities.  In  this  matter,  after  a  personal  examina 
tion,  I  became  well  satisfied  that  you  were  innocent  of  any  criminal  intentions. 

As  to  your  conduct  towards  your  fellow  officers  in  the  prison,  I  do  not  recol 
lect  of  your  having  any  trouble  with  any  one,  except  Col.  Streight,  51st  Ind'a 
"Vols.,  which  upon  personal  investigation,  I  found  had  been  provoked  by  Col. 
Streight,  by  an  ungentlemanly  and  unofficer-like  tirade  of  abuse  upon  you, 
based  entirely  upon  a  misconstruction  of  your  language  imbodied  in  a  petition 
to  the  C.  S.  of  the  prison  in  reference  to  the  ration  issued  to  the  officers  in  the 
prison.  I  was  aware  of  the  fact  that  Col.  Streight  had  succeeded  in  prejudicing 
the  minds  of  many  of  the  officers  against  you,  and  I  must  confess  that  I  had 
become  so  myself;  but  then,  as  now,  feeling  it  my  duty  to  do  justice  to  all  men, 
J  suggested  the  propriety  of  allowing  you  an  opportunity  of  an  explanation  upon 
the  different  charges  alleged  against  you.  Accordingly  I  was  chosen  as  the 
proper  person  to  demand  of  you  an  explanation,  as  to  what  seemed  to  the  offi 
cers  to  be  your  conduct  on  several  occasions,  and  upon  different  subjects. 

The  explanations  made  by  you  to  me,  and  afterwards  presented  by  me  to  the 
officers  in  my  Department,  gave  very  general  satisfaction,  and  did  much  tore- 
move  the  prejudice  against  you. 


FROM  BRIG.  GEN.  J.  S.  WADSWORTH. 

A  DEFENCE  OF  LT.  COL.  SANDERSON. 

To  the  Editor  of  the  New- York  Tribune— 

SIR  :  My  attention  has  just  been  called  to  a  letter  from  your  Annapolis  cor 
respondent,  stating  that,  from  the  returned  prisoners  of  War  "  fresh  evidence 
was  obtained  of  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON'S  perfidy." 

It  is  evident,  from  all  the  accounts  we  get,  that  a  bitter  feud  existed  in  Libby 
Prison.  If  your  correspondent  had  stated  this,  and  that  some  of  the  officers  in 
tended  to  prefer  charges  against  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  no  one  would  have  objected 
to  it ;  but,  when  he  states  that  "  evidence"  was  procured,  he  speaks  of  what  he 
could  not  have  had,  and  what  no  one  can  have,  short  of  an  authorized  investi 
gation  ;  and,  when  you  spread  this  statement  before  your  fifty  or  one  hundred 
thousand  readers,  you  make,  unconsciously,  I  am  sure,  a  poor  return  to  a  gal- 


Ill 

lant  officer  for  long  and  meritorious  service  in  the  field  and  long  Suffering  in 
prison,  from  having  volunteered  in  dangerous  service  not  in  the  line  of  his 
-duty. 

As  it  is  understood  that  this  whole  matter  is  to  be  investigated  by  military 
-authority,  it  is  only  proper  for  me  now  to  say  that,  from  a  long  acquaintance 
•'with  Col.  SANDERSON",  and  having  served  for  nearly  two  years  in  the  same  Corps 
'with  him,  I  know  of  no  officer  who  would,  in  my  judgment,  be  less  likely  than 
he  to  commit  the  offence  imputed  to  him  ;  and  my  astonishment  will  be  equal  to 
'any  regret  if  a  thorough  investigation  does  not  entirely  exonerate  him  from  any 

•dishonorable  conduct. 

Your  obed't  servant, 

JAMES  S.  WADSWORTH. 
.AriiiL.5, 1864. 


FROM  Dii.  EL1SHA  HARRIS. 

[Member  of  the  Board  V.  8.  Sanitary  Commission.'] 

FEBRUARY  6,  18G5. 

COLONEL:  In  replying  to  your  inquiries  regarding  certain  points  connected 
'with  your  public  services  since  the  war  began,  I  beg  leave  to  state  very  briefly — 

1st.  That  my  personal  acquaintance  with  your  purposes  to  serve  the  National 
><cause  began  early  in  the  month  of  June,  1861 ;  when  you  asked  me  and  other 
persons  what  means  could  be  -employed  to  instruct  volunteer  soldiers  in  the  art 
of  preparing  food  in  camp. 

2d.  About  the  21st  June,  1861, 1  was  requested  by  Medical  and  other  friends, 
-who  were  considering  the  prospective  wants  of  the  soldieis.  to  write  to  Gov.  F. 
D.  Morgan  at  Albany,  and  request  that  he  would  provide  for  the  temporary 
support  of  a  certain  number  of  cooks,  who  should  under  your  direction,  serve 
in  camp  with  regiments  of  volunteers.  The  request  was  granted  and  a  sum  of 
.money  promised  for  their  payment.  I  recollect  iliat  it  became  my  duty  to  ad 
vise  and  aid  you  in  commencing  such  work,  and  that  I  saw  you  faithfully  en 
gaged  in  the  details  of  the  duty  of  preparing  rations  in  the  33d  X.  Y.  Vols.,  or 
.some  other  regiment  at  Washington  and  its  vicinity,  during  the  months  of  June 
.and  July,  1861.  I  think  you  met  with  much  discouragement  until  jou  finally 
-achieved  triumphant  results  in  the  loth  N.  Y..  a  regiment  of  engineers. 

At  that  time,  and  ever  since,  I  had  no. doubt  that  you  were  prompted  by  the 
highest  patriotism  and  humanity  to  undertake  that  work.  Indeed,  in  the  city  of 
New-York,  it  was  well-known  that  you  were, from  the  attack  on  Fort  Sumpter,  a 
bold  and  manly  defender  of  our  National  cause,  and  ready  to  serve  in  the  war 
in  any  way  you  could  be  most  useful.  I  believe  you  never  received  any  money 
for  the  service  perfoimed  for  the  benefit  of  the  army  during  the  period  of  my 
personal  knowledge  of  your  labors,  previous  to  your  connection  with  the  Com 
missary  Department. 

3d.  I  know  that  you  prepared  and  submitted  to  me  a  valuable  manual  of  in 
structions  to  soldier's  in  the  preparation  of  their  rations,  and  that  it  was  Mibse- 
quently  published  by  the  Commissary  Department. 


4th.  I  saw  you  engaged  in  your  official  duties  in  the  22d  Mass.  Vols.,  and  ad 
mired  the  administration  of  your  Department. 

5th.  I  cannot  here  forbear  to  state  to  you  a  touching  incident  in  the  last  days 
of  the  patriotic  General  Wadsworth,  that  illustrates  both  the  nobility  of  his  na 
tare  and  the  unprejudiced  and  discerning  character  of  his  mind.  On  the  5th  of 
last  March  he  met  me,  and  stated  that  he  wished  to  send  a  small  invoice  of  sup 
plies  to  his  Boys,  (soldiers  of  his  old  Division — the  1st  of  the  First  Corps,)  who 
were  prisoners  in  Richmond  and  elsewhere  in  the  Confederate  States.  We 
walked  together  in  the  room  of  the  clerk  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  and  he 
then  left  a  check  for  $3,000,  to  be  immediately  expended  in  certain  food  sup 
plies  then  specified  ;  and,  after  giving  his  simple  directions  as  to  how  the  pack 
ages  should  be  marked,  etc.,  he  said  "  I  prefer  that  Lt.  Col.  J.  M.  SANDERSON  be 
the  person  to  take  the  friendly  oversight  of  these  supplies  when  they  reach 
Richmond.''  I  then  asked  him  if  the  evil  reports  that  Stieight  and  others  had 
set  afloat  were  to  bo  regaided  as  having  any  justifiable  foundation.  The  Gen 
eral  replied,  with  peculiar  emphasis.  %<  _A"b,  not  the  least :  I  know  SANDERSON  well 
—he  bears  trouble  and  want  with  a  peculiarly  philosophical  equanimity  ;  and 
his  own  cheerfulness  and  his  attempts  to  make  the  burden  of  his  fellow-prison 
ers  lighter  have  been  the  causes  of  all  the  evil  reports  we  have  received  con 
cerning  him."  This  last  generous  deed  of  General  Wads  worth,  and  the  truthful 
interpretation  he  put  upon  your  temporary  misfortune  of  being  evil  spoken  of 
by  certain  fellow- prisoners  flashed  upon  my  mind  with  peculiar  interest,  at  the 
moment  I  met  his  corpse  as  it  was  borne  forward  from  Fredericksburg  to  Wash 
ington.  Had  he  survived,  your  defence  against  slander  would  have  been  fully 
sustained  by  him. 

Finally,  Colonel,!  beg  leave  to  say  to  you  that  I  believe  that  no  man  that 
knows  you  as  well  as  I  do,  can  ever  doubt  your  patriotism  and  your  support 
of  the  present  Administration. 

Truly,  yours, 

E.  HARRIS,  M.  D. 


FROM  COL.  H.  F.  CLARKE. 

Ass't  Commissary 
NEW-YORK,  February  8,  "1865. 


Office  of  Ass't  Commissary  Geji'l  of  Subsistence,  } 


J.  M.  SANDERSON, 

Late  Lt.  Col.  &  Chief  C.  &  lirst  Army  Corps— 

SIR  :  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to  state  that,  while  you  were  Chief 
Commissary  of  the  First  Army  Corps  and  serving  with  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac,  from  September,  18(52,  to  the  time  of  your  capture  by  the  enemy  in,  I  think,. 
July,  1863,  you  discharged  your  duties  faithfully,  to  the  satisfaction  of  myself 
(then  Chief  Commissary,  Army  of  the  Potomac)  and,  I  believe,  to  the  satisfac 
tion  of  your  Corps  Commander,  and  all  others  concerned. 

My  recollection  is,  that  Capt.  Charles  McClure,  who  succeeded  you  as  Chief 
C.  S.  First  Army  Corps  reported  that  he  found  every  thing  connected  with  the 
Subsistence  Department  of  that  Corps  in  excellent  condition. 

Very  respectfully,  &c., 

H.  F.  CLARKE, 

COI.A.D.C.&A.G.S. 


FROM  COL.  L.  P.  DI  CBSNOLA. 

[4to  N.  Y.  Cavalry.'] 

In  regard  to  the  plan  of  escape  :  it  was  originated  since  long  time.  The  de- 
•tails  of  the  plan  were  intrusted  to  me  ;  but,  for  want  of  unanimity  of  purpose 
it  failed.  Other  plans,  subsequently,  made  it  rather  a  blessing  (in  my  opinion) 
that  it  was  not  carried  out,  as  it  would  have  been  wholesale  murder. 

Being  simply  a  case  of  justice  to  you,  and  the  pure  truth,  I  very  willingly 
-make  this  statement. 


FROM  COL.  HEBER  LE  FAVOUR. 
[22d  Michigan  Infantry.'] 

Being  the  officer  highest  in  rank  among  the  large  number  of  officers  brought 
from  the  Chickamauga  field,  I  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  room  in 
which  they  were  all  placed  ;  and,  by  virtue  of  my  position,  I  was  necessarily 
and  immediately  brought  into  contact  with  Lt.  Col.  JAMKS  M.  SANDERSON,  who, 
at  the  time,  was  acting  by  common  consent  as  director  of  the  kitchen  arrange 
ments.  I  acted  in  my  position  until  early  in  December,  18G3  ;  and,  to  that  time, 
was  daily  and  hourly  brought  into  contact  with  him  ;  and  I  can  freely  say,  that 
the  intercourse  between  us  was  such  as  should  be  between  officers  and  gentle 
men  ;  and  that  the  general  tenor  of  his  conduct  was  perfectly  gentlemanly, 
just,  and  courteous  :  and,  to  the  last  time  I  saw  him,  (in  March,  1864,)  he  so  con 
tinued. 

Diuiiio:  the  month  of  November,  I  think  it  was  that  many  of  the  officers  dis 
cussed  different  plans  of  escape  ;  arid  one  was  almost  decided  upon — which  was 
either,  to  disarm  the  guard,  by  a  general  and  sudden  rush,  or  to  relieve  them  by 
stratagem  by  night,  which  being  done,  the  enlisted  men  in  buildings  in  the  im 
mediate  vicinity  and  on  Belle  Island  were  to  be  released,  and  the  whole  party 
to  make  their  way  to  our  line^.  A  part  of  the  plan  was  to  obtain  the  co-opera 
tion  of  our  Government.  Whether  the  plan  was  disclosed  by  some  of  the  offi 
cers,  or  the  Rebel  authorities  obtained  a  knowledge  of  it  by  means  of  their  spies 
or  otherwise,  I  cannot  say  ;  but  the  details  of  such  a  plan  was  published  in  the 
Richmond  papers,  and  an  extra  number  of  infantry  and  artillery  were,  for  but 
a  d.vy  or  two,  to  be  seen  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Prison.  Soon,  Ihings  went  on  as 
usual  :  the  guards  became  less  vigilant,  and,  during  the  month  of  December,  the 
plan  could  have  been  carried  into  effect  as  easily  as  at  any  previous  time.  It  is 
my  <>p:nion  *hnt  it  miscarried  more  from  the  wunt  of  concert  among  ihe  officers 
th j  11  from  any  other  cause.  I  know  that  many  of  the  highest  in  rank  opposed 
the  scheme  as  wild  and  impracticable,  in  consequence  of  the  difficulty  in  secur 
ing  the  co-operation  of  the  Government  at  the  proper  time,  the  uncertainty  of 
providing  arms  and  ammunition  for  the  men.  the  impossibility  of  handling  them 
as  a  unit  for  the  one  purpose,  and  the  knowledge  that  there  was  a  large  number 
of  tro  »ps  stationed  near  Richmond. 

There  was,  I  am  sorry  to  state,  in  the  large  number  of  officers  in  confinement, 
a  great  many  who.  by  their  actions,  should  not  be  classed  as  an  u  officer  and  a 


Vfc 

gentleman.''    Many  of  this  class  were  at  enmity  with  Col.  SANDERSON,  for  the 
reason  that  he  would  not  submit  to  their  blackguardism  ;  a  "  hue  and  cry"  was 
consequently  raised  against  him,  and,  on  the  13th  of  January,  18G4,  a  procession 
wa-s  formed  and  marched  to  the   music  of  tin   horns,  etc.     After   proceeding 
through  the  Prison,  they  halted  in  one  of  the  rooms,  and  speeches  were  made, 
against  Col.  SANDERSON,  during  his  absence  from  the  Prison,  and  whilst  he  was^. 
distributing  clothing  to  the  enlisted  men  on  Belle  Isle.    The  meeting  dissolved 
without  any  definite  action;    indeed,  it  was  generally  acknowledged  to  have  • 
been  a  "  fizzle,"  and  no  further  steps  were  taken  in  the  matter.    Placards  were  • 
carried  in  the  procession,  which  were  of  a  burlesque  character  such  as  "  Bread  ' 
or  Blood,'7  etc.    The  whole  arrangement  was  nothing  more  nor  less  than  a  farce.  - 

I  was  not  a  prisoner  at  the  time  of  the  reinforcement  of  Gen.  Bragg  by  Long- 
street,  but  I  was  told  several  times  thereafter  that  he  offered  a  reward  of  five  • 
hundred  dollars  to  any  one  that  would  escape  and  inform  our  Government  of 
the  fact.   I  am  knowing  to  the  fact  that  he  furnished  officers,  that  made  their  es 
cape  through  the  tunnel  on  the  night  of  February  9.  with  money  ;  and,  in  con-  • 
versation  with  him  previous  to  the  completion  of  it,  he  stated  to  me  that  anyone  • 
that  would  make  the  attempt  to  escape  should  have  of  such  as  he  had  as  would' 
be  of  use  to  them. 

On  the  7th  March,  1864. 1  was  exchanged  with  forty-seven  other  officers,  and 
amongst  them  was  Col.  SANDERSON,  and  we  were  often  together  going  to  and  on 
board  the  boat,  at  Annapolis  and  at  AVashington.  He  brought'  nothing  away/ 
with  him  in  the  shape  of  boxes,  trunks,  or  large  packages,  having  only  a  satchel1 
or  haversack,  and  I  should  have  considered  it  very  strange  and  very  unphilan- 
thropic  had  he  or  any  one  else  brought  away  a  large  quantity  of  clothing,  booksr 
etc.,  that  would  have  been  conducive  to  the  health  of  "his  fellow  prisoners- 


FROM  COL.  THOMAS  E.  ROSE. 

[Commanding  77th  Penn'a  Volunteers."] 

Was  captured  by  the  enemy  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  on  the  night  of  the- 
18th  Sept.,  1803.  and  was  taken  to  Libby  Prison,  Va, 

While  en  route,  I  escaped  at  Woldon,  N.  C..  but  was  recaptured.    I  arrived  at 
Richmond  some  time  in  October. 

I  was  confined  in  Libby  Prison  until  the   8th  of  February,  18(54,  when  I  es 
caped  from  the  prison,  and  was  recaptured  on  the  13th  near  Williamsburg,  Va.. 
I  was  then  taken  back  to  Libby  Prison,  and  remained  there  until  the  1st  of  May, 
1864,  when  I  was  exchanged. 

In  Libby  Prison  I  knew  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON.    He  was  gentlemanly 
and  polite  in  his  manners,  and  possessed  the  style  of  a  well-bred  man. 

I  never  knew  him  to  be  brutal  or  undignified,  neither  vulgar  nor  profane,., 
nor  guilty  of  any  of  the  prevailing  vices  exhibited  in  the  prison. 

I  never  heard  that  Col.  Streight  had  concocted  a  plan  for  overpowering  the 
guard,  and  of  capturing  or  burning  the  city. 

I  do  not  think  that  Col.  Streight  had  stability  of  mind  to  concoct  any  such. 


VII' 

plan,  nor  do  I  believe  he  bad  the  courage  to  execute  any  plan  that  would  have*' 
for  its  object  the  overpowering  of  the  guard. 

I  was  present  when  he  bribed  the  guard  to  let  him  out  at  the  dining  room/1 
window.     I  constructed  with  a  rope  I  kept  in  my  possession,  the  means  by ' 
which  Capt.  Read  and  he  reached   the   pavement.     After  I  had  fixed  the  rope' 
they  hesitated  to  go.    I  was  angry,  for  I  feared  the  guard  would  seize  my  rope, 
which  was  of  great  use  to  me  in  my  tunneling   operations.    Capt.  Read  went  - 
out  first,  and  was  talking  to  the  guard  on  the  pavement  for  a  considerable  time 
before  Col.  Streight  could  summon  courage  to  go.    I  charged  him  with  coward 
ice;    He  then  scrambled  out,  and  he  and  Capt.  Read  were  quickly  conducted  to1 
the  cell. 

I  do  not  call  that  an  attempt  to  escape  ;  he  made  no  attempt  to  escape. 

Col.  Streight  at  this  time  knew  nothing  of  the  tunnel,  although  I  had  been 
working  at  it  for  more  than  a  month.  He  had  nothing  to  do  with  originating, 
planning,  or  executing  the  tunnel  by  which  the  officers  escaped  on  the  8th  of' 
Feb.,  1864.  It'  he  had,  he  could  have  been  out  of  the  prison  long  before  I 
came  there,  as  he  had  a  thousand  chances  when  I  had  one. 

I  was  the  originator  of  that  scheme,  and  the  leader  of  it  throughout.    I  was  - 
the  first  man  to  pass  through  the  tunnel,  and  was  recaptured  about  sixty  miles 
from  Richmond. 

There  were  fourteen  men  besides  myself  engaged  in  perfecting  it. 

Major  McDanald  borrowed  money  from  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  by  which  he  and 
Col.  Streight  effected  their  escape  from  Richmond. 

These  officers  would  not  have  entrusted  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  with  the  secret  if 
they  suspected  him  of  treachery. 


FROM  COL.  CHARLES  W.  TILDEN. 

[  Commanding  16th  Maine.] 

I  hereby  state,  on  honor,  that  my  name  is  Charles  W.  Tilden,  my  rank  Colonel 
commanding  16th  Regt.  Maine  Vols.  I  was  captured  at  the  battle  of  Gettys 
burg,  on  the  1st  of  July,  1863,  carried  to  Richmond,  and  confined  in  Libby  Pris 
on.  I  was  in  command  of  the  Department  known  as  the  "  Eastern." 

Lt.  Col.  J.  M.  SAXDEUSO.V,  Chief  Commissary  of  the  1st  Corps,  who  arrived  at 
Libby  Prison  on  the  20th  July,  was  assigned  by  the  Rebel  authorities  to  my 
dep't.  Until  the  1st  January,  1864,  he  was  in  my  mess  ;  the  other  members  be 
ing  Major  Russell  and  Capt.  Atwood.  Col.  SANDERSON  had  frequent  difficulties 
with  Capt.  Atwood,  and  finally  left  the  mess  on  his  account. 

Shortly  afier  his  arrival,  he  was  requested  by  a  large  number  of  the  officers 
to  assume  command  of  the  kitchen  dep't,  and  teach  the  officers  how  to  prepare 
their  rations.  This  position  he  retained  until  Oct.  27,  when  he  resigned,  in  con 
sequence,  I  think,  of  a  difficulty  with  one  Lieut.  Hall,  brought  about  by  a  com 
plaint  made  against  Hall  by  Capt.  Atwood.  Owing  to  Col.  SANDERSON'S  efforts, 
this  dep't  was  conducted  with  so  much  system  and  regularity,  that  a  number  of 
officers  in  the  Western  Dep't,  under  the  charge  of  Col.  Streight,.  made  a  str<wig> 


vnr 

effort  to  obtain  bis  services  in  regulating  matters  in  their  kitchen,  but  owing  to 
^determined  opposition  on  the  part  of  Col.  Streight  and   others  of  his  dep't,  no 
invitation  was  extended.  Shortly  after,  I  was  informed,  that  in  a  political  discus 
sion,  Col.  Streight  grossly  insulted  Col.  SANDERSON,  after  which  no  further  inter 
course  took  place  between  them. 

During  the  month  of  December,  it  was  intimated  that  the  officers  were  to  be 
'removed  from  Libby  Prison  to  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  and  Col.  S.  suggested  to  me 
that  the  prisoners  should  organize  themselves  into  a  regiment,  selecting  their 
captains  from  the  higher  rank,  each  of  whom  should  recruit  his  own  company, 
and  drill  them  occasionally  so  as  to  habituate  them  to  their  captains  and  com 
manders,  in  case  an  opportunity  appeared  for  an  organized  escape.  Subse 
quently  the  whole  matter  was  referred  to  Col.  di'Cesnola,  with  power  to  elaborate 
ihe  details,  each  officer  m  iking  such  suggestions  as  he  might  deem  proper.  None 
fcut  field  officers  were  initiated  into  the  secret.  Col.  Streight  was  not  interested 
at  all  at  the  first,  but  was  subsequently  informed  of  tie  plan.  Whilst  this  was 
going  on,  certain  cha"ges  were  made  by  Col.  Streight  against  the  Rebel  Com 
missary,  which  were  presented  to  me  for  my  approval,  in  which  I  could  not 
fully  concur,  and  which,  after  investigation,  Col.  SANDKRSON  and  myself  found 
ourselves  compelled  to  contradict  to  a  certain  extent :  out  of  this  grew  a  very 
bitter  fend,  resulting  in  a  meeting  of  the  friends  of  Col.  Streight,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  passing  resolutions,  condemnatory  of  the  course  taken  by  us.  At  this 
faceting,  I  was  informed,  Col.  Streight  made  a  speech  particularly  abusive  of 
Col.  SANDERSON.  After  the  meeting  Col.  SANDERSON  endeavored  to  obtain  a  c<  py 
of  the  proceedings,  but  without  success.  I  was  not  present  at  the  meeting,  but 
Vas  informed  that  it  was  presided  over  and  organized  by  officers  principally 
from  Col.  Streight's  dep't,  and  that  Ihe  speakers  were  from  the  same  depart 
ment.  After  this  meeting,  Col.  Streight's  anger  against  Col.  SANDERSON  kn«-w  no 
bounds,  and  he  did  not  hesitate  to  charge  Col.  SANDERSON  with  whatever  of  mys 
terious  or  disagreeable  might  occur. 

About  the  middle  of  October,  Col.  SAXDEIISON  was  taken  sick  arid  carried  to 
the  hospital  where  he  remained  but  two  da  vs.  Three  or  four  days  after  his  re 
turn  we  discovered  that  two  pieces  of  artillery  had  been  placed  to  command 
the  entrance  to  the  prison,  and  the  guard  in  charge  were  doubled  :  this,  I  think, 
continued  for  two  days,  when  the  guns  were  removed  and  the  guard  relieved. 
This  affcdr  caused  great  excitement  throughout  the  prison,  particularly  with  Col. 
Streight,  and  many  of  the  officers  in  his  department,  and  it  was  generally  re 
ported  and  believed,  even  by  some  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  intimate  friei.ds,  that  he, 
SANDERSON,  had  divu'ged  the  plot  to  one  of  our  pr'^oners,  who  was  acting  as 
nurse  in  the  hospitals,  (name  I  do  not  remember,)  and  who  reported  the  fact 
to  the  priso:i  ofnV'als.  I  was  led  myself  to  think  this  m'ght  bo  the  case,  until 
convinced  to  the  contrary'.  Subsequent  to  this  another  meeting  was  called,  at 
which  Col.  SANDERSON  was  publicly  accused  of  betraying  the  plot  to  escape  by 
many  of  Col.  Streight's  friends.  I  was  not  present  at  this  meeting,  and  am  un 
able  to  give  the  details  of  same.  I  will,  however,  state,  that  the  plot  above  re 
ferred  to  was  concocted  by  Col.  Streight,  which  was  not  supported  by  the  major 
ity  of  the  officers  present.  I  tkink  there  was  a  slight  ch.inge  in  the  Con 
duct  of  Col.  Cesnola  towards  Col.  SANDEIISON  after  this  occurrence,  yet  it  did 
aot  cause  any  change  in  the  contemplated  plan  of  escape,  or  induce  tlrose 


IX 

kaving  it  in  charge  to  relax  their  efforts  to  carry  it  out.  My  impression  is  that 
Col.  SANDERSON  wis  not  cognizint  of  the  plan  concocted  by  Col.  Stre'ght  for 
breaking  out  and  capturing  the  city— at  any  rate,  he  was  not  fully  familiar  with 
details  of  said  plan  until  after  he  was  accused  of  betraying  the  plot. 

Ab  >ut  the  time  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  illness,  Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow  returned 
from  Mobile,  and  it  was  suggested  by  some  one  of  our  mess  that  he  be  invited 
to  join  it ;  this  did  not  meet  with  favor,  Col.  S.  being  particularly  opposed  to  it. 

Shortly  after  his  return,  a  large  invoice  of  clothing  and  supplies  were  for-, 
warded  by  Flag-of-Truce  to  his  address.  After  some  delay  he  was  permitted  to 
visit  Belle  Isle,  accompanied  by  Capt.  Conice,  94th  N.  Y.  Vols.,  and  one  or  two 
other  officers,  (whose  names  I  do  not  remember,)  to  distribute  it,  but  in  two  or 
three  days  was  relieved,  and  Col.  dFCesnola,  Lieut.  Col.  Boyd,  and  Lieut.  Col. 
Van  Schrader  assigned  in  his  place;  with  this  committee  Col.  SANDERSON  had  no 
connection  whatever. 

After  five  or  six  weeks,  however,  Col.  di'Cesnola,  having  interfered  with 
some  internal  regulations  of  the  i>land,  having  reference  to  the  volunteering  of 
our  men  as  shoemakers  for  the  Confederate  army,  was  relieved,  and  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  was  substituted  and  continued  to  perform  the  duties  appertaining  there 
to  until  early  in  February,  when  all  egress,  in  consequence  of  the  escape  of 
some  officers,  was  discontinued. 

When  C  >1.  SANDERSON  first  joined  the  Committee,  he  took  as  a  companion, 
(having  offered  the  position  to  me,  which  I  declined.)  Lieut.  Col.  Cavada  ;  then 
Major  Ilussel,  Jr.,  and  then  Capt.  Atwood,  each  of  whom  accompanied  him  fire 
or  six  times.  He  then  took  Capt.  Wenlworth  once,  and  thereafter  he  selected 
a  different  offuer  each  d;iy,  giving  the  preference  to  those  having  relations  or 
friends  on  the  island,  without  regard  to  his  personal  likes  or  dislikes.  He  also 
carried  b.ickwaid  and  forward  lar>re  number  of  letters  and  hiim.s  (,f  money.  I 
never  accompanied  him  while  serving  on  this  Committee.  In  the  latter  part  of 
December,  Col.  SANDERSON  had  a  difficulty  with  Lieut.  Morley,  who  was  connected 
with  Co!.  di'Cusnola's  mess,  owing  to  some  alleged  encroachment  on  Morley 's 
part  on  the  store  belonging  to  the  united  messes.  Out  of  this  a  coldness  sprung 
up  between  Col.  Ce.?nola  and  SANDERSON,  who  never  spoke  to  each  other  during 
the  balance  of  my  stay  in  prison. 

Ih.iVe  frequently  borrowed  money  of  him,  which  I  have  since  repaid — here- 
fusing  all  interest  or  gain.  I  have  known  him  to  lend  it  to  others,  and  often 
seeking  out  the  needy  and  distressed  ;  and,  in  or  two  instances,  absolutely  forc 
ing  it  upon  men  with  whom  he  had  had  difficulties  in  a  greater  or  less  degree. 
Ho  was  easily  moved  to  anger  ;  but,  upon  the  least  appearance  of  a  desire  to 
apologise,  quickly  forgave — one  or  two  instances  of  this  character  c  ime  under 
my  per«>m,l  ob-e;  v.ition. 

He  was  not  a  profane  or  brutal  man,  ami  was  not  in  the  habit  of  using  oaths, 
•curse-;,  and  bitter  invectives.  His  general  conduct  to  his  brother  officers  was 
gentlemanly  and  obliging-,  and  I  never  knew  him  to  exact  courtesies  which  he 
was  not  willing  to  return. 

His  position  as  director  of  the  kitchen  necessarily  embroiled  him  in  many 
difficulties  not  of  his  own  seeking,  and  h?  never  received  any  compensating 
benefit  for  the  trouble  and  annoyance  he  endured  fulfilling  this  position. 

Col.  SANDERSON  had  not,  at  any  time,  charge  of  the  Sanitary  stores  more  than 


x .  •> 

any  other  member  of  the  Committee,  and  did  not  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the 
issuing  of  them.  They  came  more  directly  under  the  charge  of  Col.  Van  Schra- 
der.  The  officers  generally  obtained  a  share  of  them — I.  myself,  being  a  recipi 
ent.  I  was  informed  by  several  officers  that  Col.  SANDER'SON  offered  a  reward  to 
any  officer  who  would  convey  the  news  of  Longstreet  reinforcing  Bragg  to  our 
Government.  I  do  not  remember  the  sum  named.  I  am  cognizant  that  he  lent 
money  to  officers  to  enable  them  to  escape  through  the  tunnel  (one  of  my  own 
party)  and  I  received  material  from  him  for  this  purpose. 

He  was  not  generally  shunned  or  distrusted  by  a  majority  of  the  officers.  He 
never  expressed  any  desire  to  me  to  know  or  have  any  association  with  Gen; 
Neal  Dow.  I  have  no  recollection  of  his  being  accused,  in  my  presence,  of  be 
traying  the  plot  to  escape  ;  yet  I  am  knowing  to  his  being  personally  insulted 
on  this  account.  No  confidence  was  placed  in  the  story  by  any  gentleman  ac 
quainted  with  Col.  SANDERSON'S  character  ;  and  I  never  heard  any  substantial 
evidence  at  all  pointing  to.  Col.  SANDERSON. 


FROM  LT.  COL.  B.  B.  McDANALD. 

[Wist  Ohio  Vols.} 

I  know  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  Lt.  Col.  and  Chief  Comnrssary  of  First  A.  C.  He 
was  a  prisoner  in  Libby  when  I  was  put  in.  I  escaped,  leaving  him  there.  I 
did  not,  however,  become  personally  acquainted  with  Col.  SANDERSON  until  near 
the  time  of  my  escape  from  prison.  A  very  few  days  before  I  left  Libby,  and 
at  a  time  when  all  of  the  preliminary  arrangements  were  about  completed  (with 
the  exception  of  a  sufficient  amount  of  u  greenbacks" — not  '•  graybacks,"  for  we 
had  plenty  of  them)  :  our  party  of  four,  viz.,  Col.  Streight,  51st  Ind.  Yols.  ; 
Capt.  Seaver,  same  Regiment  5  Lt.  Stirling,  20th  Ind. ;  and  myself,  set  to  work 
to  raise  the  required  amount.  Having  heard  it  spoken  by  officers  in  the  Prison 
that  Col.  SANDERSON  had  money,  and  that  he  had  offered  to  furnish  officers  with 
money  to  enable  them  to  effect  their  escape,  I  went  to  him  and  asked  him  to 
loan  me  some  ;  he  remarked  that  he  hadn't  much  about  him  then,  but,  if  it  was 
a  matter  of  importance  to  me  to  have  it,  he  would  spare  me  twenty  dollars  of 
what  he  had — with  the  understanding  that,  if  I  remained  in  prison,  I  should  re 
turn  it  to  him  in  a  short  time.  I  promised  him  that  I  would  do  so.  He,  then,, 
gave  me  the  money. 

At  this  same  interview,  he  also  said  to  me,  that  if  my  intentions  were  to  at 
tempt  an  escape,  that  he  would  tell  me  something  that  might  be  a  benefit  to  me~ 
He  thereupon  took  me  to  a  certain  window,  and  pointed  out  to  me  a  house  in 
which,  he  said,  lived  an  Union  lady  that  would  give  me  assistance  if  I  could 
get  to  her.  I  did  not  at  that  time  reveal  the  fact  to  him,  but  at  this  same  time 
my  party  had  been  corresponding  with  the  same  lady,  and  had  succeeded 
through  her  assistance  in  securing  a  plan  to  stop  for  some  days  in  the  city; 
should  we  succeed  in  making  our  escape.  We  made  our  escape,  was  secreted 
for  one  week  in  the  house  in  Richmond  that  this  Union  lady  had  secured  for  us, 
and  we  arrived  at  Washington  on  the  28th  February,  1864, 


XI. 

I  am  not  positive  that  Col.  Streight  knew  that  I  borrowed  money  from  Col. 
SANDERSON,  but  I  do  know  that  all  our  money  was  used  in  common  for  the  bene 
fit  of  all. 


FROM  LT.  COL.  JEREMIAH  WILLIAMS. 
[25//i  Rffjt.  Ohio   Vol.  Infy.] 

During  my  imprisonment  I  knew  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON.  In  his  manners  he  was 
gentlemanly,  much  above  an  average  of  the  officers.  His  associates  in  the  pris 
on  were  among  the  most  accomplished  gentlemen  there.  He  was  not  in  the 
habit  of  using  vulgar  and  abusive  language  towards  his  fellow  prisoners,  as,  I 
regret  to  say,  some  others  were. 

His  style  of  living  was  more  comfortable  and  genteel  than  that  of  most  of  the 
others,  and  this  contributed  something  towards  producing  ill-feeling  against 
him  on  the  part  of  the  envious. 

There  was  for  a  time  a  coolness  between  Lt.  Col.  SAXDKRSON  and  myself, 
growing  out  of  a  controversy  in  regard  to  a  matter  about  which  we  differed  m 
opinion.  Afterwards  I  had  much  need  of  a  favor,  and  having  confidence  in  his; 
magnamity,  I  requested  it  of  him,  and  he  at  once  kindly  and  gracefully  granted; 
it.  We  afterwards  became  friends,  and  he  several  times  materially  assisted  me. 
I  know  of  other  instances  of  his  granting  favors  to  officers,  who  like  myself, 
had  been  prejudiced  against  him  by  the  influence  of  a  little  faction,  which,  for- 
some  reason,  unknown  to  me,  had  arrayed  isself  against  him. 

For  a  considerable  time  he  was  culinary  director,  by  appointment  of  the- 
Chief  Officer  (selected  by  ourselves)  of  our  rooms.  He  performed  the  duties  of 
this  position  better,  as  I  believe,  than  any  other  officer  in  the  prison  could  have 
done  it,  systematizing  and  superintending  the  preparation  ef  food,  and  instruct 
ing  the  uninformed  how  best  to  cook  it.  His  efforts  to  give  equal  opportunities 
to  the  different  messes  brought  down  upon  him  abuse  and  rough  language  from 
a  few,  who  determined  to  break  through  our  regulations  whenever  it  suited", 
them.  Chief  among  these  was  a  very  low-bred  captain  named  Atwood.  I  think 
Atwood  was  not  respected  by  any  officer  in  the  prison. 

The  privations  of  such  prison  life  naturally  draw  out  the  less  amiable  traits 
of  men's  characters,  and  often  caused  them  to  forget,  or  disregard  the  usual 
amenities  between  gentlemen.  This  rendered  Col.  SANDERSON'S  duties  exceed 
ingly  difficult  and  unpleasant,  and  it  was  to  be  expected  that  he  would  make 
enemies,  notwithstanding  his  diligence  and  unrewarded  efforts  to  contribute  to 
the  comfort  of  his  fellow  prisoners.  Thoughtless  or  malicious  persons  availed 
themselves  of  the  absence  of  any  means  of  enforcing  discipline,  and  used  very 
provoking  language  toward  him.  In  my  judgment,  he  exercised  towards  them 
a  very  great  degree  of  forbearance. 

Col.  SANDERSON  was  exceedingly  generous  with  his  money  and  provisions.. 
He  more  than  once  offered,  and  in  several  instances  gave,  money  to  officers  to 
enable  them  to  escape,  and  at  one  time  offered  a  large  reward  to  any  one  whou 


XII 

would  escape  to  our  lines,  and  notify  our  authorities  of  the  re-inforcement  of 
Bragg's  army  by  Longstreet. 

When  he  left  the  prison,  he  divided  his  provisions  and  clothing  among  his 
fellow  prisoners,  reserving  only  what  was  actually  necessary  to  take  him  to  our 
lines,  in  this  respect  exhibiting  a  gratifying  contrast  with  the  conduct  of  Gen. 
Neal  Dow.  who  accumulated  a  large  amount  of  clothing,  blankets,  etc.,  and 
selOshly  took  them  away  with  him,  whilst  officers  in  the  prison  were  suffering 
for  them,  and  doubtless  are  to  this  day.  I  may  as  well  add  here  that  Gen.  Dow 
was  so  selfish,  domineering,  and  "  oldwomanish,"  as  to  be  atmost  universally 
disliked. 

To  fum  up,  Col.  SANDERSON7  made  him?elf  more  useful,  and  contributed  more 
to  the  comfort  of  the  prisoners  both  at  Libby  and  Belle  kle  than  any  other 
half-dozen  officers  there.  He  conducted  himself  like  a  gentleman,  which  he  un 
doubtedly  is.  He  was  no  more  intimate  with  tne  Rebel  authorities  than  was 
necessary  for  the  proper  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  prisoners.  He  loaned 
money  to  a  number  of  his  fellow-prisoners,  charging  them  nothing  for  the  use 
of  it 


FROM  LT.  COL.  F.  F.  CAYADA. 
[Late  Li.  Col  114th  Penn.  Vols.  &  A.  A.  G..  3cZ  Div.,  Second  Corps."] 

,.^1  know  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANI-ERSON.  My  fust  personal  acquninlance  with 
him  was  in  the  month  of  September.  1S64.  He  spoke  to  me  on  the  subject  of 
organizing  in  the  form  of  a  regiment,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an  escape,  in 
tsase  we  were  removed  from  Richmond  to  Sali.-bury,  N.  C.,  or  some  point  south 
of  Richmond.  Col.  SANDEKSON  uas,  I  think,  I  lie  first  person  in  the  Prison  whom 
I  heard  speak  of  such  an  organization.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  selected  by  the  offi 
cers  as  director  of  the  kitchen,  to  teach  them  how  to  cock  their  rations.  He 
devoted  a  cei tain  number  of  horns  to  thirf  duly,  on  each  day.  As  far  as  my 
knowledge  extends,  he  performed  this  duty  with  zeal  and  fidelity.  The  posi 
tion  was  a  disagreeable  one,  and  gave  rise  to  constant  quarrels  and  contentions 
which  were  calculated  to  render  Col.  SANDERSON  unpopular  with  many  of  his 
fellow-prisoners. 


.FROM  COL.  B.  F.  FISHER. 

[Chief  of  the  Signal  Corps,  U.  S.  A.] 

I  have  known  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  since  about  the  1st  of  August, 
18G3.  Our  relations  at  no  time  could  be  termed  very  Intimate,  but  were  of 
that  friendly  character  existing  between  officers  thus  thrown  together,  without 
any  resources  for  pastime  save  their  own  minds. 


XIII 

From  September  18  to  October  19,  Col.  SANDERSON,  offended  at  the  action  I 
took  at  a  meeting  hold  by  the  officers  upon  the  18th  of  September,  originated  a 
coolness  which  existed  until  the  latter  date  ;  when  he  frankly  acknowledged 
that  he  was  in  error  as  to  my  actions,  which  opened  the  way  again  to  our 
former  relations ;  but  never  since  has  that  frank  feeling  and  manner  existed 
which  had  place  prior. 

1  was  an  inmate  of  the  hospital  at  the  time  Col.  SANDERSON  was  there.  I  be 
lieve  he  was  mostly  confined  to  his  bed,  but  conversed  Ireely  at  times  with  va 
rious  officers  in  thu  hospital  at  the  same  time. 

He  came  to  the  hospital  on  the  18th  of  October,  and  remained  four  or  five 
days — the  exact  number  I  know  not,  but  he  returned  to  his  quarters  at  the 
Prison  before  the  25th  ;  I  think  lie  left  upon  the  23d. 

I  never  saw  him  at  any  time  in  consultation  with  any  Rebel  officer,  beside  the 
Surgeon  in  charge. 

I  have  no  recollection  of  seeing  any  Rebel  officers  during  the  time  of  his  stay 
excepting  the  Surgeon,  Steward,  and  officer  of  the  guard. 

The  officer  of  the  guard  was  the  only  Confederate  cfficial  attached  to  the  hos 
pital,  in  addition  to  the  Surgeon  and  the  Inspector,  Mr.  Halletr. 

The  hospital  attendants  were  Federal  soldiers  or  citizens  of  the  North  cap 
tured,  among  them  was  a  man  named  Vermillion.  He  was,  apparently,  a  kind- 
hearted  man,  courteous  and  gentlemanly;  but,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  we  were 
forced  to  suspect  his  loyalty  and  honor.  He  had  more  privileges  than  other 
prisoners. 

I  was  in  the  hospital  when  Major  Houstain  escaped  in  the  Surgeon's  clothes, 
and,  so  far  as  I  know,  those  cognizant  of  the  circumstances  believed  that  Ver 
million  gave  information  to  one  of  the  hospital  officials  that  Major  lloustain  had 
escaped. 

It  would  have  been  possible  for  COL.  SANDERSON  to  have  disclosed  anything 
to  the  Rebel  authorities  unknown  to  the  other  officers,  either  at  the  time  he  en 
tered  the  hospital  or  at  the  time  he  left  it  ;  but  I  do  not  think  he  could  have 
done  so  during  his  sta  in  the  room,  and  I  have  no  recollection  of  him  leaving 
the  room  from  the  time  he  entered  the  hospital  until  he  left  it. 

I  never,  for  a  moment,  believed  him  capable  of  such  treachery. 

I  knew  of  a  difficulty  that  occurred  between  Col.  Streight  and  Col.  SANDERSON 
upon  the  evening  of  the  8th  of  August,  when  public  sentiment  in  the  Prison  was 
perhaps  universal  against  Col.  Streight,  on  account  of  the  language  he  used  to 
wards  Lt.  Col.  SANDEIJSON  in  an  argrrment  between  them. 

I  cannot  say  that  Col.  Streight  was  considered  a  most  persistent  and  bitter 
enemy  of  Col.  SANDERSON  after  that  difficulty.  I  do  not  think  either  had  a  high 
apprc  elation  of  the  other,  but  that  the  feeling  of  dislike  was  mutual. 

I  do  not  think  he  opposed  an  invitation  being  extended  to  Col.  S.  to  take 
charge  of  and  systematize  the  cooking  department  of  the  West  rooms  on  ac 
count  of  any  personal  feeling  between  him  and  Col.  S.;  but  because  he  thought, 
as  many  others  of  us  did.  that  the  improvement  proposed  would  be  a  greater 
disadvantage  than  advantage. 

He  did  not  take  active  measures  in  getting  up  a  meeting  against  Col.  SANDER 
SON  and  Col.  Tilden.  We  advised  with  him,  but  the  meeting  was  called  inde- 


XIV 

^pendent  of  him  ;  nor  was  he  present  until  it  was  organized,  so  far  as  my  knowl 
edge  goes.  He  made  a  speech  which  was  very  severe  and  also  personal  in  its 
character,  but  it  contained  some  wholesome  truths  rather  roughly  expressed. 
To  the  extnet  in  which  it  was  personal  it  can  be  said  it  was  abusive  aud  ill- 
timed. 

.  He  and  his  adherents  did  not  vote  down  resolutions  of  a  moderate  character 
offered  by  the  majority  of  the  Committee,  and  substitute  those  of  a  most  abu 
sive  and  unmilitary  character.  Thereportof  the  Committee  was  adopted  unan 
imously,  but  resolutions  more  personal  in  their  character  were  afterwards 
offered  by  one  of  the  meeting,  and  likewise  adopted.  These  latter,  inasmuch 
-as  they  were  personal  and  tended  to  usurp  the  place  of  a  decree  of  a  military 
Court,  were  perhaps  unmilitary. 

I  do  not  think  Col.  Streight  had  any  fear  that  his  conduct  would  be  censured 
•by  a  military  Court,  though  he  might  have  thought  it  was  not  consistent  with 
•the  Army  Regulations.  There  Avas  a  rumor  that  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  intended 
to  prefer  charges  against  Col.  Streight. 

Lieut.  Randolph  Avho  joined  me  at  Williamsburg  after  our  escape,  informed 
me  that  he  had  obtained  money  to  enable  him  to  escape  through  the  tunnel, 
from  Col.  SANDERSON  ;  and  I  heard  of  other  instances,  but  do  not  now  recollect 
'from  Avhom.  I  have  a  faint  recollection  that  Major  Henry  told  me  shortly 
before  escaping  that  he  had  obtained  money  from  SANDERSON',  but  for  what  pur 
pose  I  know  not. 

Col.  SANDERSON  always  had  a  good  supply  of  provisions  on  hand,  sent  by  his 
friends  from  the  North,  and  perhaps  some  of  a  richer  quality  than  other  tables 
possessed.  The  main  feature  of  his  living  was  his  food  Avas  prepared  with  more 
care,  and  his  table  displayed  more  cleanliness  and  taste  than  those  of  others.  I 
suppose  it  was  regarded  by  the  class  referred  to — the  worst  class— with  a  Avish 
to  help  devour  what  Avas  upon  the  table.  I  kno\v  it  to  have  caused  remark, 
but  the  remarks  Avere  those  of  envy,  not  of  just  censure. 

I  never  heard  the  loyalty  of  his  associates  questioned,  and  deem  them  entirely 
so.  They  Avere  gentlemen. 

I  knew  of  a  plan  to  rescue  ourselves  which  Avas  canvassed  by  the  officers,  of 
whom  Col.  Streight  Avas  one,  Avhich  Avas  simply  an  attempt  to  overpower  the 
guard,  capture  the  arsenal,  frea  the  other  prisoners,  and  then  fight  our  Avay 
down  the  Peninsula.  I  suppose,  as  clear  heads  as  there  Avere  in  the  prison 
thought  at  the  time,  that  if  a  proper  organization  and  entire  unity  of  action 
could  be  secured,  it  Avould  justify  the  attempt.  No  doubt  there  Avere  some  pra- 
dent  men  Avho  found  fault  Avith  it — those  Avho  did  not  fancy  the  gauntlet  that 
would  have  to  be  run  if  the  attempt  Avas  made.  It  Avas  never  attempted  to  be 
carried  into  execution,  because  there  Avere  too  many  '•'  generals  ?'  among  us. 

I  knoAV  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  efforts  during  the  month  of  September  to  get  up 
an  organization  for  the  purpose  of  escaping  in  case  of  removal  from  Richmond 
to  Salisbury.  1  think  I  learned  it  from  Col.  S.  hims-lf,  but  1  do  not  know  who 
originated  it. 


XV 

FROM  LT.  COL.  A.  F.  RODGERS. 
180th  Illinois  Fok.] 

I  was  captured  near  Rome.  Ga..  on  the  3d  of  May,  1863,  and  was  exchanged 
at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  on  the  3d  of  August,  1864— being  one  of  the  fifty  officers 
placed  there  under  fire.  I  had  command  of  the  80th  Regiment,  Illinois  Vols 
on  the  raid  into  Georgia,  commanded  by  Col.  Streight. 

I  formed  acquaintance  with  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON',  in  Libby  Prison,  Rich 
mond,  Va.  His  reputation  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman  was  as  good  as  any  in 
the  Prison  :  he  was  not  in  the  habit  of  using  profane  or  abusive  language.  To 
wards  his  comrades  he  acted  the  perfect  gentleman  :  his  associates  were  of  the 
better  class  of  officers.  I  was  personally  cognizant  of  his  services  as  director 
in  the  East  room.  The  officers  of  the  West  rooms  had  it  in  contemplation 
to  invite  him  to  exercise  supervision  of  the  cooking  and  messing  arrangements 
in  their  room,  which  was  so  strongly  opposed  by  Col.  Streight  that  it  was  aban 
doned.  I  was  present  at  the  difficulty  between  Col?.  Streight  and  SANDERSON. 
Col.  Streight  abused  Col.  SANDERSON  most  shamefully.  Every  officer  that  heard 
it  censured  Col.  Streight  for  his  ungentlemanly  and  abusive  language. 

After  this  difficulty,  Col.  Streight  was  a  persistent  enemy  of  Col.  SANDERSON 
and  was  instrumental  in  getting  up  a  meeting  in  the  East  rooms,  for  the  purpose 
of  denouncing  Cols.  Tilden  and  SANDERSON.  It  was  generally  understood  that 
Col.  SANDERSON  would  bring  charges  against  him  for  his  conduct  and  remarks 
on  that  occasion. 

I  heve  known  him  to  give  money  to  needy  brother  officers,  and  assist  them 
very  materially  otherwise,  by  helping  them  to  medicine,  clothing,  etc. 

I  never  knew  him  to  refuse  a  favor  to  any  one,  if  in  his  power  to  grant  it. 

I  am  acquainted  with  Neal  Dow,  late  Brig.  Gen.  of  Volunteers.  He  was  not 
in  my  opinion  more  kind  and  patriotic  than  Col.  SANDERSON.  I  do  not  regard 
him  as  a  better  officer  or  kinder-hearted  man.  I  was  knowing  to  the  fact  that 
General  Dow  had  a  number  of  blankets,  and  when  brother  officers  came  in 
without  any,  he  would  not  offer  them  one,  and  they  would  have  to  lay  on  the 
bare  floor,  or  sit  up  all  night. 

When  Gen.  Dow  was  exchanged  he  carried  blankets  and  provisions  away  with 
him. 


FROM  LT.  Cor,  JOHN  HENRY. 
[5th  Ohio  Cavy.] 

Was  taken  prisoner  in  a  fight  with  Gen.  Chalmers  at  Hernando,  Miss.,  and 
was  sent  to  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  arriving  there  July  6,  1863.  I  remained 
until  the  night  of  February  9,  1864,  when  in  company  with  one  hundred  and 
eight  other  prisoners,!  made  my  escape  through  the  tunnel, was  re-captured  two 
days  after,  and  brought  back,  where  I  remained  until  the  30th  April,  when  I 
was  released  and  exchanged. 

Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON'S  reputation  as  an  officer  was,  that  he  was  very  thorough 
and  rigid  in  exacting  discipline,  somewhat  of  a  martinet ;  exact  and  orderly 


himself,  he  required  those  under  his  control  to  do  their  duty  ;  he  was  very  sys 
tematic  and  precise  in  what  he  undertook,,  and,  I  think,  aimed  at  the  good  of  his 
fellow  prisoners.  His  character  as  a  gentleman  was  high,  and  by  his  deport 
ment  as  such,  commanded  respect.  His  associates  were  among  the  most  moral 
and  high-toned  in  Libby  ;  anything  vulgar  shocked  and  horrified  him. 

His  arrangements  for  conducting  the  cooking  department,  although  rigid,  were 
well  calculated  t*>  benefit  all  concerned  ;  but  were  not  appreciated  by  those  who 
were  too  filthy  and  indisposed  to  do  ought  for  themselves.  There  existed  in 
consequence  a  prejudice  that  grew,  and  was  nourished  by  those  who  disliked 
restraint  until  it  assumed  a  hatred,  and  any  saying  was  twisted  into  such  a  shape- 
as  was  best  calculated  to  stir  up  dislike  in  the  minds  of  tho?e  who  were  the  re 
cipients  of  his  favor?,  and  train  them  against  him.  Consequently,  viewed  through 
spectacles,  colored  by  such  prejudices,  his  enemies  could  not  place  to  his  cre 
dit  much  that  was  loyal,  noble,  and  benevolent  in  his  conduct  and  actions.  To 
myself  he  communicated  freely  plans  of  escape,  and  he  often  talked  of  the  feasi 
bility  of  such  plans.  lie  icas  indeed  the  first  to  hint  towards  organization  for  the 
purpose  of  releasing  ourselves. 

He  always  seemed  willing  to  submit  to  the  action  of  our  Government,  in  the 
mutter  of  our  confinement,  when  many  of  the  so-called  and  loud-mouthed  "Ad- 
minifitratlonists "  were  denouncing  it. 

I  accompanied  him  once  to  Belle  Island,  and  was  convinced,  that,  although 
his  discipline  was  rigid,  it  aimed  at  the  good  of  those  for  whom  he  assiduously 
labored.  1  do  not  believe,  for  I  made  enquiry  of  the  men  themselves,  that  he- 
treated  them  cruelly.  He  was  too  kind,  and  too  much  in  sympathy  with  them 
to  be  guilty  of  such  nvanne.-s. 

His  intimacy  witii  Rebel  officers  went  no  further  than  was  calculated,  in  bis 
judgment,  to  further  the  welfare  of  prisoners  ;  he  may  have  used  the  ''Silken 
Glove,''  but  it  covered  an  '•  Iron  Hand,"  when  duty  required  him  to  stand  up. 
for  the  rights  of  our  poor  privates.  As  far  as  I  could  observe,  he  was  polite 
to  the  Rebels  in  charge  of  the  prison,  but  distant  and  dignified. 

When  we  made  our  escape,  he  generously  loaned  many  of  the  officers  money, 
and  bade  them  "  God-speed."  I  was  somewhat  prejudiced  against  him  at  first, 
but  looking  at  the  matter  fairly,  I  must  say  that  no  one  went  to  him  in  a  manly, 
open  manner,  who  did  not  find  him  willing  to  explain  or  make  the  proper 
amends  ;  and  on  very  many  occasions  he  exerted  himself  to  obtain  favors  for 
those  who  had  vilified  him.  I  do  not  think  he  would  have  injured  Col.  Streight 
in  any  way  while  a  prisoner,  and  no  man  rejoiced  more  at  his  escape,  or  wished 
him  good  luck  with  a  freer  heart. 

Col.  Streight  was  a  good,  loyal  man,  but  Col.  SANDERSON,  although  not  so- 
popular,  was  as  loyal  I,  for  one,  never  for  a  moment  doubted  him,  and  to-day 
have  no  cause  to  change  my  opinion. 

To  me  he  laid  open  his  heart  in  his  grief  for  afflictions  at  home,  and  in  our 
hours  of  tender  conversation  I  felt  his  heart  was  right,  whatever  others  might 
think. 

I  will  say,  in  conclusion,  on  my  honor,  that  I  believe  the  charges  made  were 
without  the  slightest  foundation,  and  had  their  origin  more  in  a  prejudice  grow 
ing  out  of  the  restraints  his  discipline  imposed  upon  a  restless  and  uncultivated 


XV11 

set  of  men,  unused  to  being  curbed  in  tlieir  desires,  and  too  rude  and  ignorant 
:to  appreciate  the  efforts  of  any  one  laboring  for  their  good,  when  those  efforts 
-conflicted  with  their  loose  and  selfish  desires. 


FROM  MAJOR  WM.  RUSSELL,  JUN. 
[  1.  A.  G.  Cavalry  M.  M.  Div.] 

I  hereby  state,  on  honor,  that  my  name  is  William  Russell,  Jim.  ;  my  rank, 
Major  ;  my  position,  Ass't  Adj.  Gen.  Cavalry,  Middle  Military  Division.  I  was 
captured  on  the  20lh  of  July,  18(53,  in  company  with  Lt.  Col.  JAMBS  M.  SAXDKK- 
sox,  Chief  C.  S.,  of  the  First  Corps  (of  which  I  was  A.  A.  A.  G.,)  and  one  Order 
ly.  We  were  surprised  by  a  band  of  guerillas,  (twelve  in  number.)  whilst  iv- 
•connoitering  for  a  ford  to  cross  the  column  over  a  deep  and  rapid  stream  in  the 
vicinity  of  Middleburg.  Ya.  We  were  carried  to  Richmond,  stopping  one  night 
at  Culpepper,  where  Col.  SANDEKSOX  expressed  himself  a  warm  advocate  for 
the  abolition  of  Slavery.  We  were  confined  in  Libby  Prison,  in  the  Eastern 
department,  and  continued  intimate  during  our  whole  Imprisonment — belong 
ing  to  the  same  mess  until  January  1st.  when  Col.  SANDERSON  left  it  owing  to 
the  alleged  ungentlemanly  conduct  of  C.iptain  Atwood.  Shortly  after  our 
arrival,  Col.  Streight  took  occasion  to  fasten  a  quarrel  on  Col.  SAXDEUSOX, 
and  insulted  him  in  a  most  gratuitous  and  ungentlemantly  manner.  In  this 
affair  every  honorable  man  sided  with  Col.  SAXPEHSOX,  and  commended  his  con 
duct. 

During  the  month  of  October.  Col.  S.  was  taken  quite  ill  and  carried  to  the 
hospital,  where  he  remained  two  or  three  days.  On  his  return  he  suffered  a 
relapse,  and  was  quite  ill  for  some  time.  During  this  latter  attack  we  were 
suddenly  surprised  to  find  two  guns  placed  to  cover  the  entrances  to  the  Prison, 
and  the  guard  doubled.  Ou  inquiry,  we  were  informed  that  the  citizens  of 
Richmond  threatened  to  break  open  the  Prison  and  set  us  free,  as  we  were  rais 
ing  the  price  of  provisions.  Subsequently,  we  learned  lhat  some  one  had  re 
vealed  a  plan  of  escape  which  we  were  said  to  be  concerting  ;  and,  finally,  we 
were  informed  by  Col.  Streight  and  his  friends  that  Col.  SAXDEKSOX  had  be 
trayed  us  to  the  Confederate  authorities.  As  no  attempt  to  escape  \vas  made 
the  guns  were  withdrawn  and  the  extra  guard  retired,  and  matters  proceeded 
as  usual.  This  charge  against  Col.  S  VNDKRSOX  was  not  made  openly  or  in  his 
presence,  that  I  ever  heard  ;  but  was  whispered  about  without,  attaining,  as  far 
sis  I  know,  the  slightest  credence  amon^  his  friends,  or  the  better  class  of  officers 
surrounding  him. 

A  few  days  later,  a  large  nipply  of  subsi>ter,ce  and  clothing,  addressed  to 
•Gen.  Neal  Dow  (sent  by  our  Government)  was  received;  an  1  G.  n.  Neal  Dow 
was  permitted  to  visit  the  Island  for  t'.K1  purpose  of  distributing  k.  IT1  wr,s  ac- 
oompanied.  I  think,  by  one  or  two  junior  officers.  He  w.jnt  b  it  two  or  t!ire;» 
times,  as  he  was  suddenly  relieved  by  the  Confederate  authorities  ;  and  Cols. 
Cesnola,  Boyd,  and  VonSchrader  substituted.  These  gentlemen  were  constancy 
•employed  in  transacting  this  business  for  five  or  six  weeks,  when  Col.  Cesnola 


;  i  XVIII 

brought  down  the  anger  of  the  authorities  by  some  action  on  his  part,  and  he 
also  was  relieved  ;  and  Col.  SANDKRSON,  at  his  (Cesnola's)  suggestion,  assigned 
to  his  place.  Col.  SANDERSON,  at  first,  selected  Col.  Cavada  as  a  companion, 
but  this  gentleman  was  obliged  after  four  or  five  visits  to  abandon  this  position, 
and  I  was  invited  to  take  his  place,  until  I,  also,  was  forced  b,y/  sickness  to  re 
linquish  it,  after  having  accompanied  Col.  S.  for  some  days.  *  *  *  * 

Col.  SANDKRSON  was  quick-tempered,  and  spoke  sometimes  more  sharply  and 
severely  than  was  necessary  ;  but  he  was  ready  to  forget  and  forgive,  and  was 
as  easily  approached  by  a  fue  as  by  a  friend,  especially  when  a  favor  was  to  be 
conferred.  Several  officers,  who  had  had  serious  difficulties  with  him,  were  re 
lieved  by  him  without  the  slightest  hesitation  on  his  part.  I  have  known  him 
to  lend  money  to  officers,  and  he  was  known  for  his  stock  of  medicines  and  lit 
tle  necessaries  which  he  sent  for  to  the  North  expressly  for  the  needy  and  im 
provident.  My  successor,  as  Col.  SANDERSON'S  companion,  was  Capt.  Atwood, 
who  was  selected  at  the  request  of  Col.  Tilden  ;  although  Col.  S.  did  not  partic 
ularly  affect  him.  This  officer  held  the  position  for  five  or  six  days,  when  Col.. 
S.  decided  to  take  a  different  officer  every  day,  so  as  to  afford  many  who  had  re 
lations  among  the  soldiers  an  opportunity  of  visiting  them.  In  his  selection  he 
appeared  to  be  guided  by  the  claims  of  the  applicants,  giving  the  preference  to 
those  having  the  greatest  claims.  I  have  since  heard  that  many  of  these  men 
went  over  expressly  to  obtain  evidence  of  his  cruelty,  great  reports  of  which 
were  circulated  throughout  the  Prison.  ****** 

The  day  following  the  "  McKee"  meeting,  Col.  S.  asked  and  obtained  permis 
sion  to  select  two  officers  daily  for  his  companions  ;  and,  during  the  continu 
ance  of  his  visits  to  the  Island,  he  was  always  accompanied  by  that  number. 

Early  in  February,  five  officers  made  their  escape  from  the  Prison,  whereupon 
all  privileges  extended  to  the  Committee  and  others  were  cut  off,  and  all  visits 
to  Belle  Island  ceased.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  sometimes,  however,  permitted  to 
visit  the  officer  in  charge  of  the  boxes  ;  and  I  knew  he  did  everything  in  his 
power  to  procure  the  boxes  of  any  one  who  would  ask  his  assistance.  Just  be 
fore  the  general  exodus  through  the  tunnel,  several  parties  asked  and  obtained 
money  from  Col.  S.  to  enable  them  to  effect  their  escape  ;  whilst  to  others  he 
gave  everything  he  could  spare,  calculated  to  aid  them  in  getting  through  safely. 
Finally,  when  about  to  be  exchanged,  Col.  S.  divided  among  his  companions 
and  messmates  everything  he  was  possessed  of  in  the  shape  of  books,  clothing, 
bedding,  and  subsistence — amounting  to  over  two  hundred  dollars,  if  not  more, 
carrying  away  with  him  the  contents  of  a  haversack  and  one  blanket.  After 
his  departure,  Captain  Atwood,  who  had  been  promised  his  release  by  Dick  Tur 
ner,  was  unexpectedly  sent  back  ;  and  immediately  charged  it  upon  Col.  SAN 
DERSON,  who,  as  I  have  since  been  informed,  was  not  aware  of  his  not  being  on 
board  the  steamer  until  so  apprised  by  Capt.  Fobes,  some  hours  attei  their  de 
parture. 

Col.  SANDKRSON  was  not  given  to  profanity,  bestiality,  or  abusive  language. 
On  the  contrary,  he  was  courteous  and  obliging  to  every  one  who  approached 
him  in  a  gentlemanly  manner. 

I  have  seen  him  in  a  passion  and  have  heard  him  apply  epithets  of  a  most 
abusive  character  to  an  officer  ;  but  only  when,  as  I  thought,  richly  deserved. 


XIX 

FROM  SURGEON  A.  W.  WHITNEY. 

ass.  Vols.] 


I  have  known  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  for  nearly  three  years  ;  we  were  imprisoned 
in  the  same  room  nearly  four  months.  He  was  courteous,  gentlemanly,  arid  sol-^ 
dierly  in  his  deportment,  and  not  in  the  habit  of  using  profane,  vulgar,  or 
abusive  language.  His  manners,  habits,  sentiments  compared  favorably  with. 
any  of  the  officers  imprisoned  with  us.  *  * 

I  was  present  at  a  difficulty  that  occurred  between  Col.  Streight  and.  CoK 
SANDERSON,  —  in  my  opinion,  and  I  believe  in  that  of  all  the  officers  there  pre 
sent,  Col.  Streight  was  wholly  to  blame.  I  think  it  was  generally  reported  and 
believed  that  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  intended  bringing  charges  against  Col.  Streight 
for  violating  the  Army  Regulations,  and  for  a  cowardly  surrender  of  his  com 
mand  to  the  enemy. 

I  remember  the  guard  about  the  prison  being  doubled,  on  account  it  was 
said,  of  a  discovery  by  the  Rebel  authorities  of  a  plot  among  the  prisoners  to 
break  out  and  escape.  I  have  heard  both  Col.  SANDERSON  and  Col.  Streight  ac 
cused  of  having  divulged  this  plot  to  the  enemy  ;  the  former  by  talking  about 
the  plans  to  his  brother  officers,  before  one  of  the  nurses  in  the  hospital  ;  the 
latter,  by  sending  a  threatening  message  to  Major  Turner,  the  commandant  of 
the  prison,  saying,  ••  tell  Turner  he'll  be  dam  tie  1  glad  to  see  me,  and  that  be 
fore  long."  But  I  do  not  believe  that  either  of  these  gentlemen  would  intention 
ally  stoop  so  low  as  to  betray  the  plans  of  their  fellow  prisoners.  I  believe  Col. 
SANDERSON  to  be  a  high-minded,  honorable,  and  patriotic  gentleman,  and  that, 
he  would  scorn  such  meanness.  I  was  posted  up  in  the  plan  of  escape  pro 
posed  by  Col.  Cesnola  and  others.-—  to  insure  its  success  the  active  co-operation, 
of  the  U.  S.  Government  was  requisite.  When  I  left  the  prison,  Col.  Cesnola. 
and  Lt.  Col.  S.  were  on  friendly  terms. 

I  was  released  with  the  other  surgeons  on  the  24th  day  of  Nov.,  1864.  Col'.. 
SANDERSON  worked  early  and  late  striving  to  systematize  the  Culinary  Depart 
ment,  and  teach  his  brother  officers  to  cook  their  rations  —  his  services  were 
valuable  —  the  position  one  of  delicacy  and  difficulty,  calculated  to  make  more 
enemies  than  friends  among  the  lawless,  self-willed,  and  insubordinate. 

I  heard  Col.  SANDERSON  offer  a  large  reward  to  any  officer  who  would  escape, 
and  convey  information  to  the  U.  S.  Government  concerning  the  movements  of 
Gen.  Longstreet's  command. 

Col.  SANDERSON  borrowed  over  three  hundred  dollars,  ($300,)  in  greenbacks, 
of  me,  to  lend  to  his  fellow  captives.  *  *  *  *  * 

Col.  Streight  was  in  the  habit  of  a  giving  the  lie  ''  to  his  brother  officers  when 
ever  he  thought  he  could  do  so  with  impunity. 


STATEMENT  OF  MAJ.  FARNSWORTH. 

********** 
I  knew  Lt,  Col.  JAMES  SANDERSON  whilst  a  prisoner  in  Libby — was  on   terms 

of  general  acquaintance.    I  call  his  manners  courteous  and  gentlemanly.  *.*  * 
He  did  render  valuable  service  to  his  fellow  prisoners  by  his  efforts  in  organ- 

vz.'ng  the  kitchen,  and  in  teaching  them  how  to  prepare  their  rations..     My  own. 


XX 

Impression  was  at  the  time  that  if  Col.  SANDERSON  had  exclusive  control,  and 
iiad  been  obeyed,  the  condition  of  our  rations  would  have  been  much  better. 
But  there  were  numbers  among  us  who  wanted  to  do  as  they  pleased,  and 
•owe  allegiance  to  no  one  :  this  brought  Col.  SANDERSON  in  collision  with  some 
•officers.  ******** 

I  saw  Col.  SANDEHSON  when.be  left  the  prison,  paroled.  I  think  he  took  only 
a  cloak  with  him. 

I  left  the  prison  with  Gen.  Neal  Dow  when  he  was  paroled.  He  had  two 
itrunks,  which  he  requested  officers  to  assist  him  in  carrying  to  the  truce  boat. 

He  asked  me  to  assist  him.  but  I  told  him  that  I  had  left  all  my  blankets  and 
•clothing,  sent  me  from  home,  for  the  use  of  the  remaining  suffering  prisoners, 
;and  that  I  must -decline  the  honor  of  carrying  any  of  his.  *  *  *  * 


.STATEMENT  OF  MAJ.  J.  II.  HOOPER. 
[l5//t  Mass.  Yds.-] 

;*  *  *  Was,  on  the  25th  day  of  July.  18G3,  captured  by  the  Rebel  guerilla  Mosby, 
•near  Warren  ton,  Ya..  and  was  held  in  captivity,  as  prisoner  of  war.  by  the 
Rebel  authorities,  at  the  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  Va..  from  ou  or  about  the 
1st  day  of  August,  18G3,  until  the  flth  day  of  February,  18G4,  when  I  made  my 
-escape  from  said  prison  with  other  officers  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  by  means  of  a  tunnel, 
asecretly  dug  from  one  of  the  cellars  of  said  prison. 

During  my  imprisonment  I  became  acquainted  with  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SAN 
DERSON  of  the  Commissary  Department  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  and  considered  him  in 
ibis  habit  and  deportment,  gentlemanly,  courteous,  soldier-like,  and  in  his  speech 
free  fVom  profane,  vulgar  or  abusive  language.  *  *  * 

In  habits,  manners,  and  opinion  he  compared,  in  my  estimation,  very  favor 
ably  with  the  majority  of  the  officers  confined  in  Libby  Prison. 

Social  intercourse  and  companionship  with  him,  to  a  great  extent,  was  sought 
iby  the  better  class  of  officers. 

At  one  time  it  was  freely  asserted  by  many  that  Lt.  Col.  SANDKIJSOX  had  be- 
'trayed  to •theiRebels  a  plan  of  escape,  which  had  been  for  some  time  maturing, 
but  it  is  my  impression  that  Lt.  C  )1.  SANDERSON  cleared  himself  entirely  from 
.said  charge,  even  in  the  minds  of  those  who  openly  avowed  themselves  his 
•enemies.  Never  for  a  moment  did  I  believe  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  guilty  of  such 
a  crime,  nor  did  I  stand  alone  in  such  belief. 

Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  at  one  time  director  of  the  kitchen,  of  the  part  of 
Libby  Prison  known  as  the  East  rooms.  He  was  appointed  to  this  position,  I 
'believe,  by  his  fellow-officers.  In  the  capacity  of  director  his  teachings  were 
of  much  value  to  his  inexperienced  companions  ;  and.  in  my  opinion,  the  order, 
-fiyvstem,  nr.mner  of  cooking,  etc.,  which  to  a  great  extent  he  inaugurated,  were 
highly  conducive  to  the  preservation  of  health  among  the  inmates  of  the  Prison. 
The  position  was  one  well-calculated  to  make  enemies  among  men  whose  sel- 
^ish  or  greedy  propensities  were  paramount  to  all  others. 

J  knew  Col.  Streight  by  sight  only  ;  never  having,  to  my  remembrance,  ex- 


XXI 

changed  a  word  with  him.     His  manners  were  not  such  as  to  create  in  me  a  dis^- 
position  to  cultivate  his  acquiintance.         * 

I  was  present  at  a  meeting  gotten  up  by  some  officer  or  officers  for  the  pur 
pose  of  denouncing  Col.  S.YXDKHSOX.  The  proceedings  of  this  meeting  anl  the 
resolutions  offered  were  of  such  a  scandalous  nature  that  even  his  enemies  were- 
disgusted,  and  all  just-minded  men  present  united  in  expressions  of  disappro 
bation.  It  is  my  impression  that  no  one  attempted  to  substantiate  these  charges, 
although,  to  my  certain  knowledge,  Lt.  Col.  SAXDERSOX  repeatedly  challenged 
his  accuser  to  do  so.  I  have  been  told  that  Lt.  Col.  S.  repeatedly  loaned  money 
to  officers  needy  and  in  distress  ;  and  I  know  positively  of  his  having  loaned 
money  to  officers  about  attempting  to  escape  through  the  tunnel  5  and  not  only 
loaning  money,  but  freely  giving  provisions  from  his  own  stock  5  and  in  one  in- 
s<-'ir>C'\  in  which  I  was  personally  interested,  brandy,  ext.  of  ginger,  and  other 
valuable  articles  were  given — the  possession  of  which  very  much  increased  the 
chances  of  success  in  the  rather  hazirdous  business  of  baffling  vigilant.Rebels- 
for  twelve  days.  ****** 


FROM  Du.  ALEXANDER  McDONALD. 

Am  Agent  of  the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission  :  was  taken  prisoner  July  5> 
1863,  near  Mechanicsvile,  Md.,  and  conveyed  to  Richmond,  Va.  ;  there  confined 
in  Libby  Prison  and  Castle  Thunder,  till  September  22,  1863.  *  *  While  in  Libby 
Prison  I  knew  and  was  in  daily  communication  with  Lt.  Col.  J.M.  SANDERSON.  *  *' 
During  a  part  of  the  time  of  our  confinement  in  Libby  Prison,  Col.  SANDERSON- 
acted  as  chief  of  the  culinary  department  for  the  Middle  and  Eastern  rooms  ; 
and,  in  that  capacity,  rendered  valuable  service,  by  improving  the  mode  of  prer- 
paration  of  such  rations  as  were  furnished,  thereby  undoubtedly  diminishing- 
the  risks  of  sickness  from  the  use  of  improperly  prepared  food.  His  position 
in  this  department  was  a  difficult  and  arduous  one,  well  calculated  to  cause  en 
mity  and  ill-feeling  on  the  part  of  thoughtless  persons  ;  but,  as  far  as  I  know, 
Col.  SANDERSON  performed  his  duty  in  a  just  and  impartial  manner — giving  gen 
eral  satisfaction,  though  exciting  the  ill-will  of  a  few. 

While  in  the  prison  I  believed  Col.  SANDERSON  to  be  a  humane  man.  and  am- 
cognizant  of  several  of  his  acts  which  tended  to  show  his  kind  disposition  to  aid 
the  suffering,  and  have  never  since  had  knowledge  of  any  acts  on  his  part  which, 
should  cause  me  to  change  such  opinion. 

Col.  A.  D.  Streight  was  confined  in  the  same  prison,  and  I  became  somewhat 
acquainted  with  him,  but  did  not  consider  him  a  gentlemanly  person,  and  there 
fore  avoided  his  society. 

A  person  nam  *d  Vermillion  was  employed  in  the  Prison-office,  during  a  part, 
of  the  time  I  was  in  the  hospital  of  Libby  Prison,  and  I  believe  he  af'erwardfik 
became  a  nurse  in  the  hospital.  He  had  once  been  a  Union  soldier,  but  seemed 
to  hold  some  subordinate  position  as  clerk  or  copyist  in  the  office  of  the  prison, 
and  at  Belle  Isle.  Saw  him  several  times  in  the  hospital,  and  had  some  conver 
sation  with  him,  on  two  or  three  occasions.  Did  not  deem  him  an  honest  oc- 


XXII 

sincere  man,  and  feared  he  was  in  league  with  the  Rebel  authorities,  by  whom 
1  believe  he  was  permitted  to  visit  the  hospital  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  in 
formation  regarding  the  plans  of  prisoners  there  confined. 


FROM  CAPT.  E.  A.  FOBES. 

[Chf.  C.  S.  Id  Div.  Cav'y  Corps.] 

*  *  *  Was  captured  at  Brandy  Station,  Va.,  June  9th,  18C3.  and  taken  to  Libby 
Prison,  Richmond,  Virginia. 

I  know  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  very  intimately.  We  occupied  the  same  quarters 
and  messed  together  the  last  months  of  our  imprisonment.  I  saw  him  every 
day  previous  to  messing  with  him.  His  conduct  was  gentlemanly,  honorable, 
and  that  of  an  officer  ;  he  was  kind  and  liberal  to  suffering  officers,  and  espe 
cially  to  the  sick.  His  language  was  habitually  pure  and  temperate.  His  com 
pany,  as  a  rule,  was  sought  for  by  officers  of  inferior  and  equal  rank.  *  *  *  * 

I  was  present  when  the  misunderstanding  occurred  between  Col.  Streight  and 
Col.  SANDERSON,  and  consider  Col.  Streight  greatly  in  the  wrong.  I  deemed 
Col.  Streight's  conduct  far  from  that  of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman,  especially  as 
we  were  under  the  observation  of  the  enemies  of  our  country.  ***** 

I  know  that  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  did  offer  a  sum  of  money  to  any  officer  who 
would  attempt  to  escape,  and  convey  certain  information  to  the  Federal 
authorities-  I  also  know  that  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  did  furnish  money,  and  our 
mess  subsistence,  to  such  officers  as  applied  previous  to  their  escape  through 
the  tunnel.  *  *  *  *  *  * 

Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  left  prison  the  same  day  I  did,  only  taking  a  small  haver 
sack  and  fifty  dollars  in  money  ;  the  latter  he  expended  for  meals  for  officers  on 
board  flag-of-truce  boat  New-York,  on  her  trip  from  City  Point,  Va.,  to  Annap 
olis,  Md. 


FROM  CAPT.  E.  A.  MASS. 
\_SSth  Tenn.  Vols.] 

•  *  *  *  Was  captured  on  the  1st  day  of  July,  1863,  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  carried  to 
Jlicbmond,  Va..  and  confined  in  Libby  Prison. 

I  know  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  Chief  C.  S.,  1st  Army  Corps. 

I  was  not  intimate  with  him  the  early  part  of  his  imprisonment.  I  was  very 
unfavorably  disposed  towards  him  at  first,  because  I  had  heard  so  much  said 
against  him  in  regard  to  his  being  too  intimate  with  the  prison  officials.  It  was 
the  custom  to  ascribe  everything  of  a  disagreeable  nature  to  Col.  SANDERSON, 
>and  one  great  cause  of  dislike  to  him  was  caused  by  his  being  appointed  Culi- 
aiary  Director,  having  charge  of  the  kitchen,  and  having  to  decide  a  great  num 
ber  of  quarrels  daily,  and  no  matter  how  justly  decided,  I  noticed  that  the  party 
•decided  against,  almost  invariably  became  Col.  SANDERSON'S  enemy. 


XXIII 

As  far  as  I  could  see  he  always  acted  justly  and  gentlemanly  while  holding 
the  position,  which  was  a  most  difficult  one  to  fill,  and  of  great  benefit  to  all  of 
us. 

I  heard  it  stated  that  Col.  SANDERSON  betrayed  a  plan  to  escape  to  the  rebels. 
No  evidence  was  ever  produced  to  my  knowledge  to  substantiate  this  charge, 
and  it  is  ray  candid  opinion  that  this  and  other  charges  were  made  against  him 
in  prison,  because  he  was  the  most  unpopular  man  there. 

I  never  kaew  him  to  be  harsh,  repulsive,  or  ungentleinanly  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  officers  in  the  prison. 

I  cannot  recollect  of  ever  having  heard  him  use  profane,  vulgar,  or  abusive 
language. 

His  associates  in  prison  I  would  judge  to  be  among  the  most  loyal  there.  I 
visited  Belle  Island  in  company  with  him  on  one  occasion,  to  help  distribute 
clothing.  I  saw  nothing  cruel,  harsh,  or  insulting  in  his  manner  to  our  soldiers 
there.  He  did  not  punish  any  one  while  I  was  there,  although  one  of  our  ser 
geants  reported  a  lot  of  men  to  him  for  having  done  something  wrong  ;  what  it 
was  I  cannot  now  recollect. 

I  went  to  Belle  Isle  at  my  own  request,  because  some  of  the  men  of  my  regi 
ment  were  there  and  wrote  to  me  to  come  and  see  them.  I  heard  previously  to 
this  that  Col.  SANDERSON  had  been  in  the  habit  of  using  the  men  on  the  island 
very  roughly. 

I  asked  them  if  it  was  true  that  Col.  SANDERSON  had  been  in  the  habit  of  treat 
ing  the  men  badly,  and  they  told  me  that  they  had  not  seen  anything  of  it.  *  * 

I  was  present  at  the  meeting  gotten  up  by  the  enemies  of  Col.  SANDERSON,  dur 
ing  his  absence.  Charges  of  the  worst  kind  were  made  against  him  in  a  series 
of  resolutions,  but  proofs  were  demanded,  and  not  one  man  could  be  found  who 
woiild  s.iy  that  there  was  the  least  bit  of  truth  in  them,  and  they  were  indig 
nantly  voted  down,  and  the  effect  was  to  open  the  eyes  of  the  majority  of  the 
officers,  who  thought  as  I  did.  that  there  was  a  party  in  the  prison  very  unjustly 
persecuting  Col.  SANDERSON,  and  I  must  say  up  to  this  time  I  actually  despised 
the  sight  of  him,  not  that  I  saw  anything  myself,  but  altogether  through  reports 
I  had  heard  against  him. 

I  did  not  see  Col.  SANDERSON  carry  away  with  him  any  large  package  or  bun 
dle.  Nothing  would  justify  an  officer  in  taking  away  from  the  prison  anything 
that  would  conduce  to  the  comfort  of  his  fellow-prisons. 


FROM  CAPT  R.  O.  IVES. 

[\mii  Mass.  Vols.] 

*  *  *  *  *  *.*  * 

Col.  SANDERSON'S  experience  as  regards  subsistence,  cookery,  etc..  was  of  the 
highest  benefit  to  the  whole  Prison  ;  and  I  attribute  to  his  watchfulness  and  care 
the  fact  that  so  few  of  our  number  died  of  the  miserable  provisions  furnished 
by  the  Rebels. 

I  also  understand  that  it  was  upon  charges  prepared  by  Col.  A.  D.  Streightand 
a  certain  Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow,  backed  by  some  statement  of  an  enlisted  man. 


XXIV 

that  Mr.  SANDERSON  has  been  dismissed.  I  have  not  the  honor  of  the  enlisted1 
man's  acquaintance,  but  Col.  Streight  and  Gen.  Dow  1  know  intimately.  The 
former  is  a  notorious  atheist,  from  Indiana — a  man  who,  in  my  humble  opinion, 
would  stick  at  nothing  to  injure  a  personal  enemy  ;  who  hated  Col.  SANDERSON  ; 
and,  in  the  presence  of  numerous  officers,  applied  to  him  the  most  abusive  epi 
thets.  A  man  rash,  headstrong,  ignorant— brave,  no  doubt,  but  a  thorough  vul 
garian,  who  instinctively  hated  a  gentleman. 

Of  Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow  I  need  only  say,  that  he  had  a  difficulty  with  Col,. 
SANDERSON  arising  out  of  the  fact  that,  from  his  imprudence  in  language,  he  was 
removed  from  distributing  the  U.  S.  stores  sent  to  prisoners,  and  Col.  Cesnola, 
4th  N.  Y.  Cav.  put  in  his  place.  He  also  was  subsequently  removed,  for  the 
reason  that  his  relations  were  supposed  by  Brig.  Gen.  Winder,  C.  S.  A.  to  be  too 
intimate  with  one  John  Higgins.  clerk  in  the  office  of  said  Winder.  Mr.  SAN 
DERSON  was  then  appointed,  and  by  his  tact  and  ability  executed  his  difficult 
task  to  the  general  satisfaction  of  'he  Rebel  authorities  and  the  U.  S.  officers 
prisoners  of  War.  However  contemptible  such  jealousy  may  be  on  the  part  of 
Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow,  I  give  it  as  my  belief  that  his  animosity  to  Lt.  Col.  SAN 
DERSON,  and  the  charges  subsequently  brought  by  said  Dow,  had  their  inception 
in  this  matter  of  distributing  clothing. 

As  to  the  brutality  of  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  to  the  men  on  Belle  Island  I  can  say,. 
from  my  own  knowledge,  that  he  treated  them  as  an  officer  and  a  superior — quell 
ing  riot,  and  enforcing  regularity  in  the  quantity,  time,  and  manner  of  distri 
bution,  as  his  memoranda  or  accounts  will  show.  I  have  also  talked  with  nu 
merous  prisoners  who  were  on  Belle  Isle,  in  my  various  prisons,  and  have  yet 
failed  to  find  a  good  soldier  who  found  any  fault  with  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON.  The 
deserters  and  substitutes  (bounty  jumpers)  were,  of  course,  loud  in  their  denunci 
ations — for,  to  them,  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  was  decidedly  rude,  not  to  say  '-brutal." 

I  do  not  know  that  I  need  to  say  more,  except  as  to  the  allegation  that  LL 
Col.  SANDERSON  betrayed  a  plot  of  certain  officers  to  escape.  As  an  intimate  of 
those  deepest  in  said  plor,  I  can  utterly  deny  the  statement ;  for  there  never 
was  a  plan  made,  although  said  plot  was  mooted  by  several  surgeons  and  CoL 
Streight,  assisted  by  two  or  three  delei  mined  chaplains — I  am  not  sure  but 
what  some  foreign  officeis  (Italian,  or  what  not)  figured  in  said  plot ;  but  it  was 
perfectly  still-born,  never  having  attained  the  dignity  of  a  foetus;  and  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  never  betrayed  any  plot,  plan — or,  to  my  knowledge,  any  confidence 
reposed  in  him. 

And,  in  closing  this  statement,  allow  me  to  add  that,  in  my  humble  opinion,. 
Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  is  the  victim  of  men  whose  meanness  of  sentiment  and  in 
nate  vulgarity  (Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow  included)  have  made  them  overlook  the 
many  kind  acts  and  noble  traits  of  Col.  SANDERSON. 


STATEMENT  OK  CAPT.  E,  CHARLIER. 

£A.  A.  Inspec.  Geril  Northern  Distrid,  Dept.  of  the  South.'] 
*  *  Was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1st,  1863,  remained  about 


XXV 

eight  months    in    the   Libby   Prison,  Richmond,  Va.,  and  released    on  parole- 
March  7,  1864,  with  a  number  of  other  ofliaers. 

I  became  acquainted  with  LI.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDKKSOX  shortly  after  the  be-- 
ginning  of  his  capture.  My  quarters  wore  at  first  in  a  room  next  to  the  one 
where  his  were.  Afterward*,  and  during  the  four  or  five  last  months  of  my 
sojourn  in  the  Libby  Prison,  my  quarters  were  close  to  his.  My  knowledge  of 
him  became,  therefore,  constant  and  intimate. 

So  far  as  I  could  ascertain  without  taking  any  particular  pains  to  do  so,  his 
reputation  was,  at  first  at  least,  that  of  a  respectable  and  respected  officer,  and 
gentleman.  I  heard  afterwards  some  complaints  against  him,  but  never  could 
find  means  to  ascertain  whether  they  were  founded  or  not.  He  seamed  to  have 
warm  friends  and  bitter  enenres. 

No  charge  against  him  was  ever  substantiated  in  my  presence,  so  far  as  I 
can  remember,  and  I  could  never  come  to  the  conclusion  that  he  deserved  the 
opprobrium  which  some  endeavored  to  cast  upon  him. 

The  fact  that  lie  hail  so  many  enemies  was  attributed  by  me  to  petty  jeal 
ousies  caused  by  his  appointment  at  the-  head  of  the  Culinary  Department  of 
the  prison  •  his  efforts  to  regulate  it  in  the  midst  of  most  trying  circumstances  ; 
and  also  to  his  being  appointed  to  superintend  the  distribution  of  provisions 
and  clothing  to  the  prisoners  at  Belle  Isle. 

Unless  I  except  the  use  of  the  word  ••  damn,7'  I  never  heard  Lt.  Col.  SANDER 
SON  make  use  of  vulgar  or  profane  language.  He  was  always  polite  and  re 
fined  in  his  intercourse  with  me,  or  with  others  in  my  presence.  I  even  thought 
him  religously  inclined. 

His  manners  and  habits  were  too  far  above  those  of  too  many  of  the  prison 
ers  to  admit  of  comparison  in  my  own  mind. 

Never  did  I  hear  him  utter  a  sentiment  that  had  any  disloyal  tendency  to 
wards  our  Government,  or  that  showed  any  sympathy  for  the  Rebel  cause.  His 
relations  with  the  Rebel  officers  and  employees  of  the  prison  were  indeed  fre 
quent,  amd  apparently  pleasant  and  courteous ;  but  they  were  necessitated  to  a 
great  extent  by  his  functions  as  head  of  the  culinary  department,  and  his 
having  to  go  out  daily  to  Belle  Isle.  Like  myself  and  others,  he  thought  also 
that  nothing  was  to  be  gained  by  ungentlemanly  conduct  towards  our  keepers, 
and  that  unless  a  successful  plan  of  escape  could  be  devised,  and  carried  into 
execution,  we  ought  to  submit  to  the  regulations  of  tho  prison.  When  once  I 
observed  to  him  that  his  intercourse  with  the  Rebel  officers  was  perhaps  over- 
friendly,  he  answered  that  it  was  merely  that  of  gentlemen  who  came  in  daily 
contact,  and  that  it  might  be  beneficial  to  the  welfare  of  the  prisoners,  or  some 
thing  to  that  effect.  I  understood  also  that  he  had  in  view  an  appointment  as 
General  Agent  for  the  transfer  and  distribution  of  supplies  to  prisoners  of  war 
in  Rebel  hands,  and  that  he  considered  such  an  agent  as  more  likely  to  succeed 
well  in  his  mission,  should  he  be  on  good  terms  personally  with  the  Rebels. 

I  never  perceived  that  Lt.  Col.  SANDKRSON  was  avoided  by  the  best  class  of 
officers,  and  never  heard  a  charge  of  disloyalty  brought  against  him,  except 
once  when  the  only  proof  adduced  was  his  intercourse  with  the  Rebels.  To  the 
best  of  my  knowledge  he  was  treated  with  respect  and  deference  by  most  of 
those  whom  I  considered  as  the  respectability  of  the  prison.  A  few,  his  ene 
mies,  for  reasons  unknown  to  me,  did  not  speak  to  him,  or  of  him  in  my  presence. . 


XXVJ 

FROM  CAPT.  S.  G.  HAMLIN. 

[134M  N.  Y.  Vols.-] 
********** 

I  knew  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M,  SANDERSON  in  prison.  His  services  as  culinary  di 
rector,  and  bis  labor  in  organizing  and  systematizing  the  mess  arrangements  of 
(the  prison,  conduced  more  to  the  welfare  and  convenience  of  the  officers  than 
the  acts  of  any  other  officer.  I  deemed  his  labors  of  great  value  to  the  prison 
ers.  His  position  was  a  difficult  and  unpleasant  one,  exposing  him  to  annoy 
ance  and  insult  sometimes  from  junior  officers.  It  was  a  prevalent  opinion  in 
.prison  that  all  distinction  of  rank  ceased  while  there,  which  caused  much 
trouble,  especially  to  whoever  undertook  to  introduce  any  regulations.  Col. 
SANDERSON  exposed  himself  to  much  abuse  in  his  judicious  attempts  to  intro 
duce  system  and  regularity,  although  his  services  sscured  us  much  convenience 
and  protection. 

I  never  saw  anything  in  Col.  SANDERSON'S  conduct  to  justify  a  charge  of  cru 
elty,  inhumanity  or  brutality.  I  know  of  instances,  on  the  contrary,  of  his  will 
ingness  to  loan  money  to  fellow  officers  to  better  their  condition.  It  was  re 
ported  in  prison  that  be  had  advanced  money  to  prisoners  to  enable  them  to 
escape. 

I  did  hear  it  charged  or  rumored  in  prison  that  he  had  betrayed  a  plan  of  ts- 
-cape  to  the  Rebel?.  No  proof  was  ever  given  to  me  of  the  truth  of  the  charge, 
nor  do  I  believe  it  was  generally  believed.  I  never  heard  of  any  person  making 
the  charge  to  Col.  SANDERSON  personally.  My  belief  is,  its  foundation  it*  per 
sonal  enmity  and  not  substantial  proof. 

I  was  acquainted  with  Gen.  Neal  Dow.  I  saw  him  lake  li\m  the  prison  two 
trunks  with  him  when  he  left  for  the  North.  I  saw  him  pack  the  trunks.  He 
did  put  some  blankets  in  them.  The  trunks  were  filled,  but  whether  they  con 
tained  any  condensed  milk  or  medicines,  I  could  not  positively  say.  It  was 
the  prevalent  opinion,  however,  that  they  did.  I  knew  Capt.  Atwood  in  prison, 
and  will  say  in  justice  to  you,  without  injustice  to  others,  that  I  never  saw  any 
thing  in  your  character  as  a  gentleman  and  an  officer,  but  what  would  very  fa 
vorably  compare  with  that  of  Capt.  Atwood,  Gen.  Dow.  or  Col.  Streight. 

The  number  of  blankets  Gen.  Dow  saw  fit  to  take  up  to  Maine  with  him  I 
don't  exactly  know.  I  heard  it  was  fourteen.  I  know  he  took  several. 

If  my  statement  will  be  any  use  in  extricating  you  from  the  bitter  clutches 
of  personal  strife  engendered  in  our  loathsome  confinement,  and  which  I  be 
lieve  to  be  a  matter  of  personal  enmity,  I  will  have  no  regrets  at  the  result. 


FROM  CAPT.  MARTIN  TOWER. 

[13th  Regt.  Mass.  Fo/s.] 

*  *  Was  taken  prisoner  July  1,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  was  confined 
in  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  Va..  from  July  18th,  1863,  until  February  9th,  1864, 
at  which  time  I  effected  my  escape  by  means  of  a  tunnel  dug  by  officers  con 
fined  in  the  prison. 


XXVII 

I  was  intimately  acquainted  with  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON*,  and  consider  his  char 
acter  as  a  mm  and  an  officer  unimpeachable.  *  * 

He  was  excelled  by  lew  of  the  officers  confined  in  Libby,  in  his  manners, 
habits  and  opinions.  *  *  *  * 

I  was  acquainted  with  Col.  A.  I).  Streight,  and  consider  his  conduct 
towards  rebel  officers,  and  others  visiting  the  prison,  as  ungentlemanly  and 
unbecoming  an  officer  of  the  United  States.  In  no  respect  do  I  consider  him 
more  loyal,  just,  or  officer-like  in  his  behavior  than  Col.  SANDERSON. 

I  never  heard  in  Libby  of  Col.  SANDERSON  betraying  any  plan  for  escape  to 
the  rebels,  but  know  that  he  was  aware  of  the  existence  of  the  "  tunnel "  at 
least  one  week  before  my  escape,  from  the  fact  of  personal  consultation  with 
him  on  the  subject.  After  I  arrived  home  I  heard  of  Col.  SANDERSON'S  arrest, 
and  talked  with  many  officers  (ex-prisoners)  in  regard  to  it,  and  they  all  con 
sidered  it  unjust  and  cowardly  in  his  accusers,  and  not  one  of  them  spoke  of 
him  in  any  other  way  than  as  an  injured  man,  arrested  without  the  slightest 
cause. 

I  accompanied  Col.  SANDERSON  to  Belle  Island,  and  during  my  stay  there  he 
treated  the  men  with  all  kindness  possible.  *  *  *  * 

I  remember  many  instances  of  his  furnishing  money  to  his  comrades,  and  also 
<if  his  troubling  himself  on  their  account,  particularly  in  carrying  packages 
and  messages  to  the  men  at  Belle  Island. 

I  knew  Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow,  and  did  not  consider  him  more  patriotic  or 
more  honorable  in  his  conduct  than  Col.  SANDERSON,  and  certainly  not  so  gen- 
tleminly  ;  had  frequently  heard  while  confined  in  prison  that  Gen'l  Dow  kept 
•what  we  called  there"  a  black  list,"  consisting  of  the  names  of  officers  who, 
for  trivial  offenses,  he,  when  we  should  be  released,  was  to  have  court-martialed 
and  dismissed  the  service. 

I  never,  while  in  prison,  heard  of  his  lending  money  to  his  comrades. 

I  was  acquainted  with  Capt.  Atwood,  and  he  had  the  reputation  of  being 
very  quarrelsome  and  disagreeable,  and  was  constantly  engaged  in  difficulties 
while  cooking  in  the  kitchen,  and  continually  calling  Col.  SANDERSON  to  settle 
trivial  and  unnecessary  quarrels. 

Col.  SANDERSON,  on  his  entrance  into  the  prison,  undertook  the  systematizing 
•of  our  cooking  and  commissary  affairs,  which  were  in  a  very  unsatisfactory 
•condition,  and  I  believe  that  everything  he  did  in  regard  to  them  was  done  in 
an  impartial  manner,  and  every  gentleman  thanked  him  for  it.  The  position 
was  extremely  disagreeable  and  well  calculated  to  make  enemies  for  one  who 
•did  his  duty  impartially,  particularly  of  persons  of  selfish  dispositions.  *  *  * 


FROM  CAPT.  GEO.  H.  STARR. 
N.   Y. 


*  *  Was  taken  prisoner  on  the  1st  July,  18G3,  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and 
escaped  from  prison  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  on  the  10th  October,  18(54,  reaching 
our  lines  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  on  the  13th  November,  having  travelled  about 


XXVIII 

400  miles.  At  the  Libby  Prison  I  first  became  acquainted  with  Lt.-Cul.  JAMES 
M.  SANDERSON,  and  occupied  quarters  in  tbe  same  room  with  him  during  the 
whole  of  his  imprisonment.  *  ***** 

Soon  after  he  appeared  among  us,  he  was  made  Director  of  the  Kitchen  De- 
parment,  and  for  many  months  used  earnest  and  assiduous  efforts  to  organize 
and  systematize  the  cooking  and  messing  arrangements  of  the  prison,  which 
efforts  were  very  praiseworthy,  and  certainly  resulted  very  beneficially.  The 
position  was  not  a  desirable  one,  and  occasioned  grumbling  and  fault-finding 
among  the  lawless  and  selfish,  but  was  properly  appreciated  by  the  majority. 

The  Colonel  did  many  generous  and  friendly  acts  to  his  brother  officers  by 
loaning  money  and  other  articles,  which  acts  are  held  by  many  in  grateful  re 
membrance. 

There  were  rumors  about  the  prison,  especially  after  the  Colonel  had  gone, 
that  he  had  been  instrumental  in  betraying  some  plan  of  escape  to  the  rebels  ; 
but  many  of  his  friends  who  heard  of  it,  interested  themselves  in  tracing  this 
rumor  to  its  source,  and  nuver  could  learn  what  was  the  plan  of  escape  so  frus 
trated,  nor  even  the  least  grounds  to  jusiify  such  a  story. 

Being  engaged  in  distributing  clothing,  &c.,  to  our  soldiers,  and  thus  being 
obliged  to  leave  the  prison  daily  to  go  to  Belle  Island,  it  gave  occasion  to  his 
enemies  to  talk  about  collusion  with  the  rebels,  and  to  circulate  stories  which 
were  never  credited  by  sensible  men,  for  the  Colonel  was  only  acting  in  the 
line  of  his  duty,  and  never  to  my  knowledge,  left  the  prison  without  a  guard. 


FROM  CAPT.  J.  MARCHE  McCQMAS. 
[Co.  1,  9lh  Maryland  Vols.~\ 

Was  captured  on  the  18th  day  of  October,  at  Charlestown,  Va.,  and  arrived' 
at  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  on  the  26th  same  month,  and  was  released  therefrom 
on  the  IGth  of  March.  1  arrived  at  Annapolis  tbe  18th  of  the  same  month.  I 
thought  at  the  time  of  my  release,  and  still  think,  that  through  the  intercession, 
of  Lt.-Colonel  SANDERSON  I  was  paroled.  I  w'as  intimately  acquainted  with, 
Col.  SANDERSON,  occupying  the  same  room  with  him — the  east  room — for  nearly 
five  months.  I  have  conversed  with  him  often,  and  never  heard  him  say  any 
thing  in  regard  to  the  rebellion,  but  that  he  sustained  the  Government  at. 
Washington. 

The  Colonel  was  very  gentlemanly  in  his  manners,  and  courteous  to  those 
that  showed  respect  to  his  position  as  an  United  States  officer.  So  far  as  I  am, 
able  to  judge  he  would  compare  favorably  with  his  brother  officers.  *  * 

I  accompanied  the  Colonel  to  Belle  Island  on  one  occasion.  It  was  through. 
him  I  was  permitted  to  visit  the  Island  of  Death,  and  see  for  the  last  time  my 
suffering  boys.  He  was  very  gentlemanly  towards  me,  and  all  he  came  in  con 
tact  with  on  that  occasion.  I  never  heard  him  make  use  of  profane  language  ; 
on  the  contrary,  I  always  thought  his  manners  very  acceptable  to  gentlemen,, 
not  to  others.  I  have  known  him  to  interest  himself  to  obtain  boxes  for  his 
fellow -prisoners  and  succeed;  and  advance  them  money  to  relieve  their  wants. 


XXIX 

FROM  CAPT.  H.  E.  RULON. 
[Capt.  Co.  13. 114  Regt.  Perm.  Vols.'} 

Was  captured  by  the  enemy  at  Gettysburg  Pa.,  on  the  evening  of  July -2d. 
1863,  arrived  at  Libby  Prison,  Richmond  Va..  July  18th,  from  which  place  I 
was  released  March  14th.  1801. 

I  know  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  having  been  confined  with  him  upwards 
of  six  months  in  the  above  prison.  * 

*  *  1  was  cognizant  of  his  efforts  to  organize 

;md  systematize  the  cooking  arrangements  of  the  prison.  His  efforts  in  this  par 
ticular  were  very  beneficial  and  praiseworthy,  the  position  was  a  very  difficult 
and  trying  one,  and  Col.  SANDERSON  filled  it  with  justice  and  impartiality.1  I 
have  heard  a  charge  made  against  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  of  having  betrayed  a  plan 
•of  escape  to  the  Rebel  Authorities.  It  obtained  very  little  credence  among  the 
officers  ;  it  was  never  substantiated,  and  1  never  heard  any  one  willing  to  prove 
it.  or  make  the  charge  to  Col.  SAXDERSOX  personally.  *  *  *  *  * 

I  have  known  Col.  SANDERSON  to  loan  money  to  officers  in  distress.  I  know 
Capt.  Atwood,  he  was  known  latterly  as  a  bitter  enemy  to  Col.  SAXDERSOX  ;  he 
•was  not  regarded  as  an  agreeable  person,  but  quite  the  reverse.  1  know  A.  D. 
Straight,  to  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  he  bore  a  very  good  character  as  an 
officer  and  a  gentleman.  He  was  known  to  be  an  enemy  of  Col.  SANDERSON.  I 
did  consider  him  more  loyal  than  Col.  SAXDERSOX.  from  the  fact  that  he 
openly  expressed  his  hatred  for  the  Rebels  in  very  strong  language,  yet  I  did  not 
•consider  him  more  gentlemanly  or  more  kind  than  Col.  SAXDERSOX,  the  above, 
in  my  opinion,  equally  applies  to  Ex-Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow.  I  left  the  prison 
with  Gen.  Dow,  he  brought  away  with  him  two  large  trunks,  I  did  not  hear  any 
rumors  as  to  their  contents.  ******* 


FROM  ACTIXG  MASTER  FENTRESS,  U.  S.  N. 

*  *  *  Was  captured  in  Mississippi,  Sept.  12, 1863.  and  arrived  at  Libby  Prison 
October  1,1863.  I  remained  in  Libby  until  May  6,  1864,  when  I  was  sent 
Souih.  During  my  stay  in  Richmond  I  was  quartered  near  to  Lt.-Col.  J.  M. 
SAXDERSOX,  and  was  in  daily  communication  with  him.  I  always  found  him 
gentlemanly  in  his  deportment,  and  a  firm  supporter  of  the  Government  in  all 
its  measures.  As  an  officer  he  was,  certainly,  far  superior  to  the  majority  con 
fined  in  Libby. 

In  October,  he  took  charge  of  the  culinary  department,  and  by  his  energy 
and  knowledge  of  those  things,  (which  but  few  knew  anything  about.)  systema 
tized  that  department,  thereby  rendering  a  most  important  service  to  his 
brother  officers.  His  position  was  a  most  difficult  one  while  in  charge  of  that 
department,  and  among  the  unruly  he  had  many  enemies.  Sometime  about 
the  9th  of  October,  Col.  S.  and  myself  were  sent  to  the  hospital  ;  we  were 
placed  near  each  other  while  there,  and  I  never  saw  him  in  conversation  with 
any  rebel  officer  or  soldier.  He  left  the  hospital  in  a  few  days,  and  was  again 
taken  to  Libby.  About  three  days  after  he  left,  I  myself  was  taken  to  prison* 


XXX 

and  for  the  first  time  heard  that  some  one  had  betrayed  a  plot  of  escape.  No* 
one  ever  spoke  of  Lt.-Col  SANDERSON  as  the  betrayer.  It  was  generally  known 
that  a  fellow,  by  name  Vermillion,  who  was  acting  as  nurse  in  the  hospital,, 
betrayed  the  plan  to  the  surgeon  in  charge.  I  know  this  Vermillion  5  he  was 
not  an  officer  ;  I  think  he  was  a  sutler  when  captured,  and  I  always  took  him  to. 
be  a  bad  man. 

I  knew  of  the  plot  to  escape,  and  was  to  command  a  party  of  naval  men,  in 
surprising  a  rebel  gunboat  near  the  prison,  but  1  know  that  nothing  was  to  be* 
undertaken  until  our  Government  was  informed  of  the  plan,  and  co-operate  with, 
us. 

I  knew  Colonel  Streight ;  he  was  considered  by  all  the  officers  confined  iix 
Libby  as  a  great  blusterer.  He  had  several  quarrels  with  Col.  SANDERSON,. 
and  was  disposed  to  make  trouble  whenever  opportunity  occurred.  I  have  fre 
quently  heard  Col.  Streight  express  himself  in  a  most  unofficerlike  and  ungentle- 
manly  manner,  when  speaking  of  the  "  neglect  of  prisoners"  by  the  Federal 
Government. 

I  also  knew  Neal  Dow,  Esq.,  (ex-Brig.-General.)  He  was  regarded  in  prisoa 
as  a  fanatic,  who  twice  a  week  gave  lectures  on  temperance,  when  even  water- 
was  most  difficult  to  obtain. 

Strange  rumors  were  afloat  in  prison  concerning  quantities  of  sanitary  stores 
appropriated  by  the  General  for  his  mess.  *  *  * 

By  Colonel  SANDERSON'S  gentlemanly  conduct  while  in  prison,  he  won  the 
esteem  of  many  officers  ;  and  even  the  brutal  keepers  of  the  prison  were  com 
pelled  to  acknowledge  his  superiority,  and  grant  his  requests  at  times.  Those 
requests  were  always  made  for  the  comfort  of  his  brother  officers. 

I  consider  the  loyalty  of  Lt.-Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  as  unimpeachable.  'Tis. 
true  he  had  not  the  bluster  of  Col.  Streight,  nor  the  whine  of  Neal  Dow,  Esq^ 
but,  I  think,  is  as  true  as  either. 


FROM  CAPT.  E.  McB.  TIMONEY, 

[15th   U.  S.  Infantry.'] 

*  *  *  *  *  Was  captured  on  the  20th  Sept.,  1863,  at 

the  battle  of  Chicamauga ;  was  held  a  prisoner  seven  months  and  ten  days,  andl 
was  paroled  by  the  rebel  authorities  of  Libby  prison  on  the  30th  day  of  April,. 
1864.  *  *  * 

I  knew  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON.  *  *  * 

So  far  as  I  am  capable  of  judging  he  is  one  of  the  most  gentlemaaly  men 
that  I  have  ever  seen.  During  the  time  that  we  were  confined  together  I  never 
knew  him  to  act  in  any  manner  unbecoming  an  officer  and  a  gentleman.  I 
don't  think  I  ever  heard  him  use  a  profane  or  vulgar  expression,  and  as  a  gen 
tleman  and  an  officer  he  was  superior  to  the  mass  of  his  fellow  prisoners.  As 
an  honest  loyal  man  I  never  met  his  superior  in  Libby  prison.  * 

I  knew  of  his  teachings  and  services  as  Director  of  the  Kitchen  of  the  East 
room.  They  were  very  valuable.  Through  his  kindness  and  experience  we 
Vere  made  ten  times  more  comfortable  than  we  would  otherwise  have  beei* 


XXXI 

The  position  was  a  thankless  and  disagreeable  one,  and  no  man  unless  he  pos 
sessed  a  kind  and  sympathetic  heart,  would  have  held  the  position  a  week,  and 
have  to  deal  with  the  discordant  elements  confined  in  Libby  prison.  The  posi 
tion  could  not  fail  to  create  many  enemies  among  the  selfish  and  the  quarrel 
some. 

I  first  met  Col.  SANDERSON  on  the  2d  Nov.  He  asked  me  if  I  was  one  of  the 
Chicamauga  prisoners,  and  if  there  was  anything  he  could  do  for  me  and  my. 
brother  officers.  I  told  him  that  the  rebels  had  taken  our  money  from  us  and 
that  we  had  nothing.  The  Colonel  then  said  "I  will  see  if  I  can't  do  something 
or  you,"  and  on  the  next  day  he  gave  me  one  hundred  dollars.  He  appeared 
to  sympathize  very  much  with  us,  and  told  me  to  tell  my  brother  officers  that 
he  hoped  they  would  not  hesitate  to  come  to  him  for  help,  as  he  would  gladly 
give  up  all  he  could  spare.  In  addition  to  this  kindness  to  myself,  quite  a 
number  of  officers  told  rue  of  similar  acts  of  kindness.  *  * 

There  was  a  difficulty  between  Col.  SANDERSON  and  Col.  Streight  prior  to  my 
arrival  at  Libby  prison.  I  heard  a  great  many  officers  speak  of  it,  and  say  that 
they  thought  Col.  Streight  had  acted  in  a  very  rude  and  insulting  manner  ta 
Col.  SANDERSON;  from  all  I  could  learn  Col.  Streight  was  the  aggressor. 

I  met  Col.  Streight  nearly  every  day  for  seven  months.  Since  his  exchange  he- 
has  been  killed  in  battle;  if  he  was  alive  I  could  answer  the  question  (as  to  his 
being  a  gentlemen  and  a  soldier)  fully.  As  it  is  I  can  simply  say  that  Col. 
Streight  was  not  an  officer  that  I  would  care  about  numbering  with  my  friends, 
as  I  did  not  esteem  him  as  a  courageous  or  prudent  officer. 

I  heard  that  Col.  SANDERSON  intended  bringing  charges  against  him  for  a  vio 
lation  of  the  26th  Art.  of  the  Army  Regulations,  and  for  the  cowardly  surrender 
of  his  command  in  Georgia,  which  was  severely  criticized  by  every  officer  of 
intelligence  and  experience  that  I  have  ever  conversed  with  on  the  subject.  * 

The  officer  in  command  at  Belle  Island  treated  every  Federal  visitor  there,  as 
far  as  my  knowledge  extends,  with  great  kindness  and  hospitality,  and  I  believe 
that  if  the  government  and  sole  care  of  the  prisoners  on  Belle  Island  had  been, 
entrusted  to  him.  there  would  have  been  no  cause  of  complaint  so  far  as  treat 
ment  was  concerned. 

Col.  Streight  being  dead  I  cannot  answer  as  to  the  contrast  between  him  and 
Col.  SANDERSON  in  their  intercourse  with  Rebel  Officers,  as  I  would  were  he 
living. 

One  of  the  first  things  I  learned  on  arriving  at  Libby  Prison  was  that  Col. 
SANDERSON  had  offered  a  reward  to  any  officer  who  would  make  his  escape  and 
carry  intelligence  to  our  Government  of  the  reinforcement  of  Bragg  by  Long- 
street. 

I  do  not  remember  of  Col.  SANDERSON  having  lent  money  to  one  or  more  offi 
cers  to  enable  them  to  effect  their  escape  through  the  tunnel.  But  I  do  know 
that  he  offered  me  and  other  officers  money  for  the  purpose  of  bribing  the 
guard  on  other  occasions,  if  we  thought  we  could  effect  our  escape,  and  have 
held  frequent  conversations  with  him  on  the  subject. 

I  did  know  Capt.  Atwood,  he  was  generally  looked  upon  as  what  is  known 
in  the  army  by  the  term  "striker"'  and  was  always  regarded  as  a  very  quarrel 
some  and  disagreeable  person. 


XXXII 

I  did  not  consider  Gen.  Dowasrmre  loyal  to  his  country  than  Col.  SANDERSON, 
and  of  the  two,  Col.  SANDERSON  was  the  most  kind  and  attentive  to  the  wants  ot 
his  fellow  prisoners. 

I  never  knew  Col.  SANDERSON  to  refuse  any  one  a  favor,  if  in  his  power  to 
grant  it,  and  I  have  known  him  to  treat  his  enemies  among  the  prisoners,  with 
as  much  kindness  as  his  friends. 

I  was  present  at  the  McKee  meeting,  the  whole  affair  was  gotten  up  by  the 
enemies  of  Col.  SANDERSON  for  the  avowed  purpose  of  injuring  his  character, 
and  was  discountenanced  by  every  high  toned  officers  and  gentleman  in  the 
prison.  The  meeting  was  gotten  up  in  Col.  SANDERSON'S  absence  on  Belle  Island, 
and  on  his  return  he  demanded  a  copy  of  the  charges,  but  the  tt  n  or  twelve 
men  who  tried  to  have  a  set  of  resolutions  passed  at  the  meeting  were  so 
ashamed  <-of  their  own  conduct  that  lie  was  unable  to  obtain  a  copy. 

The  charges  against  him  were  not  sustained  by  the  slightest  attempt  at  evi 
dence,  and  when  even  his  enemies  demanded  proof  to  sustain  the  alleged 
charges,  the  authors  of  the  affair  were  not  able  to  give  any  ;  and.  although  Col- 
SANDEKSON'S  friends  were  there  accidentally,  they  out-voted  and  defeated  his  ene 
mies  by  a  large  majority,  and  the  whole  affair  was  regarded  by  every  high-toned 
gentleman  as  a  cowardly  and  disreputable  attempt  to  injure  an  officer  by  a  trap 
during  his  absence.  *  * 

To  the  best  of  my  recollection  it  was  not  cold  enough  to  freeze  a  man's  ex 
tremities  before  the  25th  December.  I  don't  think  we  had  cold  weather  be 
fore  the  first  week  in  January. 

No  officer,  to  my  knowledge,  did  more  to  alleviate  the  discomforts  of  his 
fellow-prisoners  than  C01.  SANDERSON.  I  shall  always  remember  his  kindness 
towards  myself  and  brother  officers  with  gratitude,  as  I  believe,  the  preserva 
tion  of  our  health  was,  in  a  great  measure,  due  to  him. 

I  saw  him  when  he  left  the  prison  ;  he  did  not  carry  anything  away  but  a 
shawl:  Everything  he  had,  clothing  and  subsistence,  was  given  by  him  to  his 
messmates. 

I  also  saw  General  Neal  Dowr  when  he  left  the  prison.  I  was  tjld  by  quite 
a  number  of  officers  that  the  General  carried  away  two  large  boxes  containing 
clothing,  subsistence  and  blankets.  I  saw  boxes  belonging  to  him  carried  out 
of  the  prison,  and  for  some  time  afterwards  it  was  a  subject  of  general  remark 
among  the  officers. 

I  do  not  think  any  officer  justified,  under  any  known  circumstances,  in  carry 
ing  away  blankets,  or  even  books,  knowing  how  many  of  his  comrades  were 
suffering  Cor  want  of  them.  In  fact.  I  cannot  see  how  it  was  possible  for  him  to 
do  so  when  there  were  so  many  officers  in  want,  and  without  the  opportunities 
that  most  of  us  had  for  obtaining  supplies  from  the  North,  nearly  one  hundred 
of  -our  number  being  from  Tennessee  and  other  places  near  the  enemy's  lines, 
whence  they  could  not  obtain  supplies. 


XXXIII 

FROM  CAPT.  J.  F.  SKELTOX. 
[llth  Regt.  Iowa  Vols.  In/t'y.] 

Was  wounded  and  captured  at  Jackson,  Mis§.,  on  the  14th;  day  of;  May, 
and  remained  in  Libby  Prison  until  I  made  my  escape   on  the    llth    Dec.,  by 
bribing  a  rebel  sentinel.  ****** 

During  my  imprisonment  with  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  I  always  regarded  amis 
respected  him  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman  of  both  moral  and  military 
worth,  this  gained  for  him  many  friends,  and  he  was  generally  esteemed, 
by  my  acquaintances.  I  regard  him  as  as  a  true  and  loyal  man.  I  never  heard 
him  express  himself  unfavorable  or  do  an  act  against  the  Government,  and* 
whilst  other  officers  were  expressing  themselves  against  the  Administration,  for 
allowing  the  prisoners  to  remain  in  Rebel  hands,  he  ever  seemed  patient  and 
had  no  feeling  against  the  Federal  Administration,  and  often  rebuked  officers 
for  denouncing  it.  While  in  the  hospital,  although  sick  himself,  to  my  positive 
knowledge  he  was  constantly  attending  to  the  wants  of  our  sick  and  wounded 
prisoners,  dividing  his  provisions,  and  giving  money  to  purchase  such  luxuries, 
as  were  to  be  had.  When  he  left  the  hospital,  he  divided  what  provisions  he- 
had  among  the  most  needy.  When  leaving  the  hospital,  he  was  asked  by  one- 
of  the  prisoners,  in  my  hearing,  why  he  returned  to  the  prison  so  soon,  he  said 
that  there  were  others,  sick  and  suffering  more  than  himself,  and,  that  his  bed 
was  needed  for  them.  While  in- the  hospital  his  conduct  was  such  as  to  gain* 
for  him  the  esteem  of  every  Federal  Officer  in  it;  at  least,  such  were  the  expres 
sions  of  all  so  far  as  I  have  ever  heard.  When  Col.  SANDERSON  revealed  to  me  a 
plan  to  escape,  I  know  that  he  was  not  overheard  by  any  of  the  Rebel  Authori 
ties,  nor  by  Federal  prisoners. 

I  never  heard  a  Federal  officer  in  the  prison  say.  ttiat  he  suspected  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  of  revealing  this  plot  to  the  Rebel  Authorities.  So  far  as  my  acquaint 
ance  extended,  it  was  generally  believed  that  William  L.  Vermillion  was  the- 
party  who  divulged  the  plot. 


FROM  LIEUT.  P.  OWEN  JONES, 
1st  Lieut.  &  Adjutant,  2d  N.  Y.  Cav. 

Was  captured  on  the  22d  of  September,  18t>3,  at  Liberty  Mills,  Va.,  and  wat* 
released  on  parole  from  Libby  prison  on  the  7th  of  March,  18G4.  I  was  person 
ally  and  intimately  acquainted  with  Lt.' Col.  JAMES  M..  SANDERSON.  *  *  * 
1  I  always  estimated  and  regarded  him  as  one  of  the  most  gentlemanly, 
courteous,  and  obliging  officers  confined  in  the  prison.  I  never  knew  of  his 
having  used  profane,  vulgar  or  indecent  language  5  on  the  contrary,  I  am 
decidedly  of  the  opinion  that  much  of  the  ill-feeling  entertained  towards  him 
by  the  selfish  and  more  ignorant  portion  of  the  prisoners  arose  principally,  if  not 
altogether,  from  his  universally  dignified  bearing ;  so  far  as  my  observation 
went,  he  was  at  all  times  treated  with  respect,  and  highly  regarded  by  a  decided 
majority  of  the  intelligent  portion  of  the  prisoners. 
His  manners,,  habits,  and  general  conduct  were  those  of  the-  most  polished 


XXXIV 

gentleman,  and  this  under  the  most  trying  circumstances,  i.e.  during  his  admin 
istration  of  the  kitchen  department  of  the  East  Room — a  delicate  and  trying 
position  which  he  filled  eminently  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  with  whom  I  ever 
had  any  conversation  on  the  subject.  In  my  opinion,  his  services  in  system 
atizing  and  conducting  this  affair  were  of  the  most  beneficial  and  servicable 
character,  and  entitle  him  to  the  lasting  gratitude  of  all  who  were  so  unfortun 
ate  as  to  be  confined  in  Libby  prison  at  that  time.  *  *  *  * 

I  never  entertained  a  very  favorable  opinion  of  Col.  Streight  ;  his  peculiar 
views  on  the  subject  of  religion,  &c.,  were  such  as  to  preclude  the  posibility  of 
my  regarding  him  with  much  favor ;  but  have  not  the  slightest  animosity 
against  him  watever.  He  was,  I  belie 7e,  regarded  as  the  chief  circulating 
medium  (if  not  the  author)  of  unfavorable  reports  against  Col.  SANDERSON. 

*  *  *  I  accompanied  Col.  SANDERSON  on  one  occasion  to  Belle  Island,  and 
had  ample  opportunity  of  judging  for  myself  as  to  his  manner  of  issuing  cloth 
ing  to  the  men,  as  well  as  his  general  treatment  of  them,  both  by  personal 
.  observation  and  conversation  with  the  men,  and  the  result  was  I  was  completely 
satisfied  that  his  method  of  conducting  this  business  was  most  wise  and  judi 
cious,  and  that  no  better  system  could  have, been  devised.  I  know  of  his 
having  punished  men,  and  I  also  know  that  in  every  case  brought  to  my  notice 
the  recipient  eminently  deserved  it,  for  a  more  lawless  and  demoralized  set  of 
men  I  never  saw  ;  such  a  concentrated  essence  of  rowdyism  I  hope  never  again 
to  come  in  contact  with.  I  never  heard  of  his  having  punished  any  man  for 
refusing  to  salute  him  or  neglecting  to  take  the  position  of  a  soldier. 

I  never  regarded  his  intercourse  with  the  rebel  authorities,  either  on  the 
Island  or  elsewhere,  as  being  more  intimate  than  was  perfectly  proper-  and 
strictly  loyal.  I  have  not  the  slightest  hesitancy  in  saying,  in  the  most  unquali 
fied  manner,  that  he  was  tbe  means  of  mitigating  in  no  small  degree  the  suffer 
ings,  and  ministering  to  the  wants  of  his  fellow  prisoners,  much  more  so  than 
any  other  individual  on  the  Distributing  Committee.  *  *  * 

I  know  Capt.  Atwood.  I  do  not  regard  him  as  a  gentleman  or  man  of  honor, 
nor  would  I  believe  him  in  any  case  where  his  personal  enmity  or  interests  were 
involved.  I  know  of  liis  having  circulated  slanderous  reports  against  Col 
SANDERSON. 

I  never  regarded  Gen'l  Neal  Dow  as  a  very  distinguished  military  man,  but 
rather  as  an  intermeddling,  fussy  and  antiquated  eld  gentleman.  *  *  * 

In  conclusion,  I  beg  to  say,  that  I  esteem  it  a  privilege  to  be  allowed  to  testify 
in  defence  of  one  whom  I  believe  to  have  been  most  cruelly  and  unjustly 
wronged  ;  and  who  is  the  victim  of  a  most  unscrupulous  persecution  on  the 
part  of  a  few  envious  and  narrow  minded  individuals  who  have  been  actuated 
more  by  personal  enmity  than  by  a  regard  for  the  best  interests  of  our  country, 
or  the  service.  I  cannot  close  this  statement  without  testifying  to  the  number 
less  acts  of  kindness  performed  by  Col.  SANDERSON  towards  his  fellow  prisoners. 
I  have  yet  to  learn  of  an  instance  where  he  refused  anything  that  was  in  his 
power  to  do  or  to  give,  either  to  friend  or  foe,  when  applied  to.  I  know  of 
several  instances  when  he  furnished  money  to  aid  his  fellow  prisoners  -to 
•escape. 


XXXV 

FROM  LIEUT.  L.  B.  COMINS, 

1st  Lieut.  4th  Mass.  Art'y. 

Was  captured  at  Bacheler's  Creek,  near  Newbern,  N.  C.,  Febuary  1st,  1864, 
and  was  carried  into  Richmond,  and  was  confined  in  Libby  prison  until 
April  30tli,  1804.  I  knew  Lt,  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  ;  I  became  acquainted 
with  him  at  Lynnfield,  Mass.,  where  he  was  acting  as  Quartermaster  of  the 
22d  Mass.  Vols.,  to  which  I  was  then  attached  as  private  Secretary  of  the  then 
Colonel  Hon.  Henry  Wilson.  I  never  saw  him  act  in  a  cruel,  tyrannical,  or 
unjust  manner  to  the  men,  and  never  recollect  to  have  heard  him  use  profane 
or  abusive  language  to  any  one  there,  or  in  Libby  prison.  His  reputation  as  a 
gentleman  and  officer  was  generally  good.  I  have  heard  his  character  decried 
by  men  who  were  known  as  his  enemies.  My  quarters  were  among  the  officers 
known  as  "Streight's  men.'7 

I  know  Col.  A.  D.  Streight ;  he  was  known  as  an  avowed  enemy  of  Col.  SAN 
DERSON.  He  was  very  abusive  and  profane  in  his  language,  and  was  generally 
regarded  as  a  ''great  bully."  I  know  Brig.  Gen.  Neal  Dow,  but  did  not  regard 
him  as  more  courteous,  more  humane,  or  more  loyal  than  Col.  SANDERSON  ;  he 
certainly  was  not  as  generous,  as  kind,  or  as  considerate  of  his  companions  as 
Col.  SANDERSON.  He  was  noted  for  his  selfishness,  having  a  great  pile  of 
blankets  for  his  own  use  while  other  officers  were  without  any.  He  is  reported 
to  have  carried  away  with  him  everything  which  he  claimed  to  be  his.  I  have 
heard  it  stated  that  he  carried  away  blankets,  subsistence  and  medicines.  Col. 
SANDERSON  carried  away  with  him  a  shawl  and  haversack  ;  he  left  with  his 
comrades  a  number  of  articles  ;  to  me  he  gave  a  blanket.  I  never  saw  anything 
in  Col.  SANDERSON'S  conduct  to  justify  a  charge  of  cruelty,  inhumanity,  or  bar- 
•barity  to  any  one,  and  never  for  a  moment  doubted  his  loyalty. 


FROM  SIMON  GAVACAN, 

Lieut.  59th  N.  Y.  Vols. 

Do  state  on  honor,  that  I  knew  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  when  he  was 
engaged  as  Superintendent  of  the  New- York  Hotel,  and  I  never  heard  or  knew 
of  his  acting  unjustly,  partially  or  cruelly  to  any  one  under  him.  He  was 
always  strict  and  severe  in  his  discipline,  but  never  cruel.  I  have  subsequently 
met  him  under  heavy  fire  at  Fredericksburg,  and  always  deemed  h'm  a  brave 
and  loyal  officer. 


FROM  LIKUT.  WM.  McEYOY. 

[3d  JWs.  Cav-y.] 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

I  do  not  know  the  cause  of  the  enmity  between  yourself  and  Ge.i.  Dow,  but 
would  judge  it  to  have  arisen  from  your  undertaking  to  deliver  the  clothing,  as 
up  to  that  time  I  never  learned  of  any  disagreement  between  you. 

There  is  no  one  who  has  been  with  the  General  in  prison,  but  knows  that  he 
•was  very  pettish,  and  when  these  rumors  came  to  his  ears,  ho  exerted  himself, 
to  a  great  extent,  to  find  out  what  he  could.^And  in  justice  to  Gen.  Dow,  though 


XXXVI 

lie  may  have  wronged  you,  I  believe  the  old  man's  fault  was  more  of  the  head? 
than  heart.  He  was  goaded  by  the  Rebels,  and  would  catch  hold  of  anything 
to  show  their  rascality,  and  your  position  was  such  that  it  placed  you 
between  the  two  fires.  Yourself  and  others  were  aware  that  your  mode  of 
living  caused  you  a  good  many  enemies.  I  believe  they  called  the  mess  you 
were  in  "  the  Royal  Family,"  and  the  fact  that  you  had  plenty  to  eat  and  to 
wear — in  a  place  where  bread  and  clothing  were  such  objects,  was  sufficient  to 
excite  the  envy  of  little  minded  men  ;  and,  unfortunately  for  you,  these  men 
found  the  ear  of  Gen.  Dow  open  to  their  suggestions  and  opinions,  and  it  is  my 
opinion  that  if  you  had  had  ragged  trowsers  and  but  one  shirt,  you  would  likely 
have  come  off  scot  free. 

With  regard  to  the  General's  action  in  keeping  and  oversupply  of  blankets,. 
I  never  paid  any  attention  to  it.  Capt.  Adam  Dixon  told  me  that  he  had  some 
fourteen  or  fifteen,  and  that  he  asked  him  (Dow)  to  let  him  have  a  grey  one  to  - 
make  a  rebel  suit  to  escape  with,  but  fcthat  the  old  General  would  not  let 
him  have  it.  Dixon  also  told  me  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  that  the  General  would  not 
give  an  officer  in  Libby  a  blanket,  but  informed  him  that  he  expected  Gen. 
Scammon,  whom  he  expected  to  share  with.  I  am  aware  the  old  General  was 
selfish  in  some  matters,  but  selfishness  developed  itself  in  the  most  of  us 
in  some  shape  or  the  other.  The  only  thing  that  seemed  to  me  that  was  wrong 
in  Gen.  Dow,  was  that,  while  he  was  doing  all  in  his  power  to  effect  a  special  ex 
change  for  himself,  he  would  preach  to  us  the  necessity  of  us  dying  in  prison  be 
fore  yielding  to  the  demands  of  the  Rebels. 

As  to  the  course  which  Capt.  Atwood  has  taken,  I  know  nothing  more  than- 
thathe  was  a  great  friend  of  yours  once,  and  done  all  your  cooking,  and  fell, 
out  with  you  because  you  would  not  give  him  wine,  so  the  story  went  in  Libby. 
If  he  has  taken  the  advantage  of  you,  it  should  learn  you  a  lesson,  although 
you  are  old,  that  is,  to  6e  a  little  more  careful  in  selecting  your  cooks  in 
future. 

Now  my  dear  Colonel,  my  own  honest  conviction  is,  that  you  are  neither  a 
thief  nor  a  traitor.  I  saw  you  in  prison  from  Sept.  '63,,  until  you  were  ex 
changed,  and  saw  nothing  in  your  manner,  nor  heard  any  charge  brought 
against  you  to  make  me  think  otherwise. 

I  would  feel  proud  to  have  it  to  say  that  all  the  officers  had  conducted  them 
selves  in  such  a  gentlemanly  manner  as  you  did  :  it  would  reflect  an  honor  on 
us  as  a  body  of  officers.  Your  courtesy  was  the  means  of  Turner  and  others 
paying  you  attention,  and  their  doing  so  made  you  enemies  in  the  prison. 


FROM  LIEUT.  D.  J.  CONNOLLY. 

[7th  Reg.  V.  7?.  0.,  U.  S.  A] 

******* 

Was  captured  at  the  Battle  of  Gettysburg,  2d  July,  1863,  and  was  a  prisoner 
of  War  at  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  Va.,  for  a  period  of  eight  months,  and  was 
released  on  parole  on  the  7th  day  of  March  1864.  I  was  acquainted  with  Lt.» 


XXXVII 

Col.  JAMES M.  SANDERSON,  *  *  *  * 

I  have  known  Capt.  Atwood,  and  of  bis  having  had  a   difficulty  with   Lt.-Col. 

SANDERSON,  after  which  he  was  never  a  friend  of  Col.  S. 

I  know  Col.  A.  D.  Streight  by  sight  and  by  reputation,  he  had  the  reputa 
tion  of  being  a  very  violent  and  excitable  officer,  and  of  using  profane  and  un- 
gentlemanly  language  to  his  fellow-prisoners  in  his  conversation  with  them. 
There  were  rumors  floating  round  the  prison  to  the  effect  that  Col.  Streight 
surrendered  his  command  in  a  very  unjustifiable  and  unsoldier-like  manner. 
He  was  the  principle  character  in  getting  up  an  indignation  meeting  among  the 
officers  in  the  upper  East  room,  for  the  purpose  of  denouncing  Cols.  SANDERSON 
and  Tilden.  He  was  known  to  be  a  bitter  and  unscrupulous  enemy  of  Lt.-Col. 
S.  He  was  reported  to  be  the  originator  of  a  story  to  the  effect  that  Lt.-Col.  S., 
was  the  betrayer  of  the  plot  to  escape  to  the  Rebel  authorities.  Such  charge 
was,  however,  never  substantiated,  nor  was  there  ever  an  attempt  to  do  so.  I 
have  heard,  and  know  and  seen  Lt.-Col.  SANDERSON  lend  money  to  his  needy 
comrades.  I  have  heard  it  remarked  among  the  officers  that  Lt.-Col.  S.,  had 
lent  money  to  some  of  the  officers  to  enable  them  to  escape  through  the  tunnel. 

I  knew  Brig.-Gen.  Neal  Dow,  by  sight  and  by  reputation.  I  have  heard  of 
his  keeping  a  "  black  list  "  of  the  names  of  his  fellow-prisoners  who  had  in  any 
way  misbehaved,  or  who  had  enjoyed  themselves  by  talking  loud  at  night,  &c. 
There  was  a  rumor  afloat  among  the  prisoners  to  the  effect  that  he  (Gen.  Dow) 
was  captured  in  a  manner  which  showed  negligence  and  carelessness  on  his 
part.  I  have  heard  officers,  who  were  released  at  the  same  time  with  Gen.  Dow, 
say,  that  he  took  away  with  him  all  his  food  and  eatables  in  two  large  boxes, 
when  he  was  going  away  from  prison,  which  was  considered  a  gross  act  of  in 
humanity  considering  the  then  needy  and  distressed  condition  of  the  prisoners. 

I  have  never  thought  Gen.  Dow  or  Col.  Streight  were  more  loyal,  humane  or 
courteous  gentleman  than  Lt.-Col.  SANDERSON. 


FROM  LT.  HARLAXD  RICHARDSON, 
[2ci!  Lieut.  I9th  Ind.  Yds.'} 

Was  captured  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  in  Pennsylvania,  July  1, 18G3.  I 
was  paroled  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  on  December  8,  1864.  1  was  well  acquainted 
with  Lt.Col.  J.  M.  SANDERSON.  *  *  On  several  occasions 

I  knew  of  the   Colonel  lending   money  to  his  distressed  comrades  and  fellow- 
prisoners,  and  doing  all  in  his  power  to  better  their  condition. 

I  know  that  Col.  SANDERSON  rendered  much  valuable  service  in  the  Kitchen 
Department  of  our  prison,  in  systematisingand  regulating  that  department;  and 
that  he  was  painstaking,  industrious,  and  forbearing,  and  that  his  position  was 
a  trying  and  difficult  one,  causing  much  enmity  on  the  part  of  the  lawless  and 
insubordinate.  His  conduct  was  just  and  impartial  to  all  men  while  engaged  in 
his  official  duties,  in  my  opinion  ;  and  by  bis  promptness,  firmness,  and  disci 
pline,  he  added  much  to  the  comfort  and  regularity  of  that  important  point  of 
prison  life — the  meals.  I  know  there  was  a  band  of  selfish  and  quarrelsome 


XXXVIII 

characters  who  did  everything  in  their  power  to  impede  Col.  SANDERSON  and 
others  in  their  efforts  to  establish  system  and  order  in  the  prison.  * 

Col.  SANDERSON  was  frequently  referred  to  as  an  arbiter  of  the  disputes  arising 
in  the  Kitchen  Department  of  the  prison.  I  knew  Col.  Streight,  but  I  knew  but 
little  about  him.  He  was  one  of  the  prisoners  with  the  rest  of  us  ;  but,  so  far 
as  I  knew,  he  was  not  more  of  a  gentleman,  more  humane,  or  more  loyal  than 
Col.  SANDERSON.  I  know,  or  at  least  have  strong  reasons  for  believing,  that  Col. 
Streight  was  a  personal  enemy  of  Col.  SANDEHSON.  *  * 

I  knew  Neal  Dow,  Brig.-Gen. — he  was  not  considered  more  kind  or  patriotic 
than  Col.  SANDERSON.  I  never  heard  of  him  lending  money  or  putting  himself  to 
any  trouble  in  any  way  to  better  the  condition  of  his  fellow-prisoners.  I  knew 
of  his  taking  two  trunks  away  from  Libby  Prison,  supposed  to  contain  blankets 
and  provisions  ;  and  I  think  there  was  not  at  any  time  more  blankets  or  provi 
sions  in  the  prison  than  was  necessaiy  for  the  comfort  of  the  prisoners.  In  fact, 
there  were  prisoners  there  all  the  time  suffering  for  the  want  of  these  articles. 
I  never  knew  Col.  SANDERSON-  to  convey  any  thing  of  the  kind  away  ;  but,  on< 
the  other  hand,  I  know  that  he  left  blankets  and  provisions  with  the  officers, 
when  he  left  the  prison. 

I  knew  Capt.  Atwood,  and  I  recollect  one  instance  in  which  he  got  Col.  SAN 
DERSON  into  a  difficulty  with  other  officers,  and  I  know  that  he  was  a  bitter 
enemy  of  Col.  SANDERSON. 


FROM  LT.  GEO.  D.  BRISBEE. 
[2dtt.  Co.  C,  15th  MaineVols.'} 

I  was  captured  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  1,  1863,  and  have  been  a  prisoner  in 
the  hands  of  the  rebels  ever  since  that  time  till  December  9,  1864,  when  I  was: 
paroled  by  the  Confederate  authorities  at  Columbia,  S.  C. 

I  knew  Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  ;  I  first  met  him  in  Libby  Prison  ;  I  was 
quartered  in  the  same  room  and  the  same  portion  of  the  room  with  him.  I  was 
in  the  same  mess  with  him  a  portion  of  the  time. 

I  knew  Capt.  Atwood,  of  the  16th  Maine  Vols. — he  was  considered  quarrel 
some  and  a  tale-bearer.     He  was  constantly  embroiling  Col.  SANDERSON  in  use 
less  and  embarrassing  difficulties  in  the  kitchen  by  his  tattling  and  selfish  dispo 
sition.    Tie  was  finally  known  as  a  bitter  and  unscrupulous  enemy  of  Col.  SAN 
DERSON. 

*  ****** 

I  knew  of  Col.  SANDERSON  advancing  his  money  to  his  needy  fellow-prisoners 
and  sharing  Ms  fare  with  those  who  were  more  needy. 

I  was  present  when  Gen.  Neal  Dow  left  the  prison— he  carried  two  large 
trunks  with  him.  I  did  not  see  the  contents.  I  heard  it  said  they  contained 
blankets. 


XXXIX 

FROM  LT.  R.  0.  KNAGGS, 

[1st  Li.  &  Aid-de-Camp  to  Bricj.-Gen.  Henry  Baxter.] 

Was  captured  on  the  1st  of  July,  1863,  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  and  re 
mained  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of  the  Rebels  at  Libby  Prison,  until  released 
on  parole,  March  7,  1864.  I  knew  Lt.  Col.  J.  M.  SANDERSON — was  as  intimate 
with  him  as  an  officer  of  my  rank  could  expect  to  be.  He  was  very  gentle 
manly,  courteous,  and  kind— even  to  conferring  favor  on  those  who  disliked 
him.  He  was  continually  being  called  en,  by  nearly  all,  at  different  times,  to* 
alleviate  the  sufferings  of  his  fellow-prisoners  ;  and  I  never  heard  of  his  refus 
ing  any  one  of  his  brother  officers  a  favor,  if  in  his  power  to  grant  it.  For  in 
stance,  at  the  time  of  our  release,  when  on  the  Flag  of  Truce  boat,  New-York, 
great  fault  being  found  with  the  accommodations  furnished  us,  Lt.  Col.  S.,  by 
tacit  consent,  was  selected  as  the  proper  person  to  represent  his  brother  officer*, 
although  by  no  means  the  ranking  officer  present,  and  obtained  the  necessary- 
redress.  IJe  even  loaned  money  to  his  brother  officers,  who  were  destitute  to- 
pay  for  the  meals  that  they  were  obliged  to  purchase. 

He  invariably  used  all  the  influence  he  possessed  for  the  purpose  of  mitigat 
ing  the  horrors  of  prison  life. 

The  position  of  Culinary  Director  (a  very  disagreeable  one)  was  voted  him 
by  officers  of  the  higher  grade.  I  considered  his  teachings  most  valuable,  and, 
if  properly  carried  out^would  have  conduced  much  to  the  comfort  of  those-' 
concerned.  His  whole  time,  for  some  months,  was  devoted  to  the  organization- 
and  carrying  out  his  plans,  and  was  only  abandoned  in  consequence  of  some  of 
the  junior  officers  becoming  insubordinate. 

He  was  not  in  the  habit  of  using  vulgar  or  profane  language  to  his  comrades, 
and  his  deportment  was  that  of  a  true  gentleman  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 
I  never  heard  him  say  one  word  adverse  to  the  Government  or  its  measures,  or 
anything  that  could  be  construed  as  favorable  to  the  Confederacy,  or  its  institu 
tions  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  he  ever  in  his  language  and  general  deportment,, 
gave  evidence  of  his  entire  loyalty  to  the  U.  S.  Government. 

He  was  very  popular  generally  as  an  officer,  and  his  society  and  favor  was 
courted  by  officers  of  inferior  and,  in  some  cases,  superior  rank.  His  style  of 
living  was  such  as  to  provoke  comment  from  the  envious  and  jealous-minded, 
although  he  owed  none  of  its  advantages  to  any  other  than  himself,  as  they  were 
the  result  of  his  own  knowledge  and  tact. 

I  was  aware  of  a  difficulty  existing  between  Col.Streight  andLt.  Col.  S. — and 
the  general  opinion  was  that  Col.  Streight  was  the  aggressor.  I  was  not  present 
at  any  of  the  meetings  called  in  reference  to  the  difficulty.  I  met  Col.  Streight 
very  frequently  and  have  spoken  with  him  at  different  times,  but  was  not  inti 
mate  with  him  ;  but,  from  my  observations  of  his  actions,  I  believe  him  to  be 
of  a  tyrannical  and  overbearing  disposition,  very  profane  in  his  language,  and 
with  but  few  characteristics  that  would  designate  the  gentleman.  I  heard  Lt. 
Col.  S.  say  that  his  intentions  were  to  bring  charges  against  Col.  S.,  for  violating 
certain  Ai-my  Regulations,  and  for  a  cowardly  surrender  of  his  command  to  the 
enemy. 

I  knew  Capt.  Atwood  very  well.  In  my  opinion,  he  was  the  means  of  institut 
ing  or  emulating  many  slanders  against  Lt.  Col.  S.  He,  in  many  instances, 
drew  Lt.  Col.  S.  into  disputes  with  his  brother-officers  in  regard  to  who  had  a 


XL 

Tight  to  the  cooking  stoves.  Capt.  A.  was  of  a  quarrelsome  disposition,  very 
apt  to  find  fault  when  there  was  no  cause  whatever.  He  was  noted  for  his  sel 
fishness,  and  had  but  very  few  friends  either  in  or  out  of  prison. 

I  was  quite  intimate  with  Brig.-Gen.  N.  Dow  (that  was.)  I  never  considered 
him  any  very  great  honor  to  the  uniform  he  did  wear  (which  consisted  of  a  Cap 
tain's  coat  and  a  Private's  pantaloons,)  or  the  Service,  as  evidently  his  Forte  was 
not  that  of  a  military  man,  but  that  of  a  Temperance  lecturer. 

He  was  not  noted  for  his  amiability  or  his  generosity.  During  my  whole  term 
of  imprisonment,  I  never  knewjiim  to  do  one  single  kind  action,  or  to  assist  in 
•any  way  or  shape  whatever  towards  alleviating  the  sufferings  of  his  com 
panions. 

He  was  the  possessor  of  two  large  packing  trunks  and  a  large  number  of 
"blankets  ;  and,  when  asked  by  me  one  day  previous  to  his  exchange,  what  his 
intentions  were  as  regarded  the  trunks  and  blankets,  he  very  coolly  informed 
me  that  all  he  had  he  should  certainly  take  with  him.  Said  I :  "General,  you 
cannot  carry  them — how  will  you  gat  them  to  the  boat?"  [distance  some  half- 
mile.]  "  Oh,''  said  he,  "  I  will  get  some  of  the  other  officers  to  assist  me."  I 
only  state  the  foregoing  to  show  how  extremely  selfish  the  General  was,  when 
there  were  plenty  of  officers  who,  up  to  the  the  time  I  left,  had  not  even  a 
blanket  they  could  call  their  own,  and  would  have  blessed  him  ten  thousand 
times  for  what  he  took  away  and  what  he  did  not  need  after  his  arrival  in 
i;  God's  country,"  more  than  a  toad  would  require  two  tails  I  also  wish  to  state, 
that  all  rumors  (of  which  the  prison  was  full,  all  the  time)  that  came  to  his  no 
tice,  to  the  disadvantage  of  Lt.  Col.  S.  or  others,  (the  former,  more  particularly) 
lie  noted  in  his  memoranda  book  ;  and  would  also  make  inquiries  of  his  brother- 
omcers  about  the  same  person,  in  order  to  ascertain  something  to  his  disadvan 
tage.  He  was  not  only  meddlesome  in  the  affairs  of  others,  but  was  so  ex 
tremely  anxious  to  get  something  to  write  down,  that  he  would  get  into  an  ar 
gument  with  some  one  and  pick  up  what  little  things  the  man  might  have  said 
unwittingly  and  book  them  preparatory  to  a  settlement  after  their  release.  This 
ifaas  been  told  to  me. 

I  did  not  consider  Gen.  Neal  Dow  in  every  respect  so  truly  loyal  as  Lt.  Col. 
SANDERSON.  I  formed  this  opinion  from  what  I  saw  and  heard  while  confined 
with  them  as  a  prisoner. 

Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON  left,  when  released,  nearly  everything  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  remained  in  prison — all  his  blankets,  medicines,  tools,  etc.,  only 
bringing  with  him  a  haversack  and  shawl. 

The  distribution  of  the  Sanitary  Commission  Supplies  was  placed  under  the 
supervision  of  Capt.  E.  A.  Fobes,  C.  S.,  without  Lt.  Col.  S.  being  cognizant  of 
the  fact ;  and  I  believe  that  the  stores  were  distributed  equally,  with  the  excep 
tion  (as  I  have  been  told,  by  Capt.  Fobes  himself)  that  Col  di  Cesnola  and  Brig.- 
Cren.  Neal  Dow  received  rather  more  than  anyone  else — the  latter  pleading  desti 
tution. 

I  think  the  cold  weather  did  not  come  until  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of 
December. 


XLI 

FROM  LIEUT.  THOMPSON  LENNIG, 

[2d  Lieut.  Gth  Penn.  Cav'y.] 

Captured  June  9th,  1863,  at  Brandy  Station  ;  confined  in  Libby  prison  from 
June  10th,  1833,  to  March  14th,  1864. 

Lt.  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  arrived  at  Libby  prison  about  five  or  six  weeks 
after  myself,  and  I  was  only  slightly  acquainted  with  him  until  he  joined  the 
mess  composed  of  Capt.  E.  A.  Fubes,  Capt.  R.  0.  Ives,  and  myself. 

I  always  heard  Col.  SANDERSON  spoken  of  by  the  better  class  of  officers  as  one 
who  maintained  his  position  as  an  officer  and  a  gentleman.  He  never,  in  my 
hearing,  made  use  of  profane,  vulgar  or  abusive  language,  and  was  not  distrusted 
by  the  officers  of  my  acquaintance  on  account  of  supposed  disloyalty.  I 
believe  that  Col.  SANDERSON  stood  as  high  in  the  estimation  of  a  majority  of  the 
prisoners  as  any  officer  of  equal  rank. 

I  never  heard  Col.  SANDERSON  express  any  sentiments  adverse  to  our  Govern- 
:  ment.  or  in  favor  of  the  rebellion.  We  messed  together  nearly  three  months, 
and  I  remember  distinctly  having  heard  him  condemn  slavery  in  strong  terms. 
Our  mess  was  certainly  better  provided  than  others,  but  this  was  owing  to  our 
friends  at  home,  who  sent  us  boxes  by  every  opportunity,  and  not  to  the  favor 
itism  of  the  rebels.  To  rny  certain  knowledge.  Col.  SANDERSON  distributed  food 
to  his  fellow  prisoners,  and  lent  money  to  those  who  tried  to  escape.  I  was 
'confined  in  the  same  room,  with  Col.  Streight  for  five  months  he  did  not  gener 
ally  command  that  respect  among  his  fellow-prisoners  to  which  he  was  entitled 
by  his  rank. 

I  heard  officers  of  his  command  say  that  his  surrender  of  his  command  was 
unnecessary  and  premature.  I  was  not  present  at  the  discussion  between  Col 
Streight  and  Col.  SANDERSON,  but  I  heard  many  officers  say  that  Col.  SANDERSON 
had  behaved  with  dignity  and  reserve,  and  that  Col.  Streight  had  grossly 
insulted  him. 

I  did  not  know  Brig. -Gen.  Neal  Dow  personally,  but  owing  to  the  crowded 
condition  of  the  prison  I  saw  him  daily.  Gen.  Dow  had  no  influence  in  the 
prison,  and  was  often  the  subject  of  ridicule  for  those  who  forgot  his  rank  in 
the  general  misery  that  pervaded  the  prison.  Gen.  Dow  left  the  prison  the 
same  day  with  myself,  taking  with  him  two  heavy  trunks  ;  it  was  said,  and 
undoubtedly  believed,  that  he  took  sixteen  blankets  with  him,  gent  to  the  prison 
by  the  Sanitary  or  Christian  Commission  for  distribution  ;  at  this  time  many 
officers  were  suffering  from  the  intense  cold.  ***** 
Capt.  Atwood  wras  apt  to  make  trouble,  and  carry  reports  from  one  officer  to 
another,  and  in  this  way  was  apt  to  engender  a  bad  spirit. 

Col.  SANDERSON  on  his  departure  left  nearly  everything  he  had  for  the  use  of 
his  messmates  and  other  friends,  taking  only  that  which  was  absolutely  neces 
sary.  •.._: ,  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  „ 
I  never  knew  of  Col.  Streight's  having  concocted  a  plan  of  escape,  and  believe 
that  any  plan  for  overpowering  the  guard  would  have  been  fool-hardy  and 
resulted  in  great  loss  of  life. 

I  once  accompanied  Col.  SANDERSON  to  Belle  Isle,  and  did  not  see  him  ill- 
treat  or  abuse  the  prisoners,  I  did  not  see  him  punish  them  for  not  taking  the 
^position  of  a  soldier.  The  prisoners  were  in  a  most  miserable,  starving  condi- 


XLII 

tion,  and  many  sold  their  clothes  to  the  rebels  in  order  to  procure  food,  and 
afterwards  tried  to  obtain  more  from  Col.  SANDERSON,  to  the  detriment  of  those 
who  had  not  yet  received  any.  On  this  account  Col.  SANDERSON  was  obliged  to 
enforce  the  strictest  discipline. 


FROM  REV.  W.  G.  SCANLAN. 

I,  "Wm.  G.  Scanlan,  a  Christian  Minister,  settled  for  the  last  seven  years  over 
the  Unitarian  parish  in  Grafton,  Mass.,  was  captured  while  acting  as  an  agent  for 
the  U.  S.  Sanitary  Commission,  and  confined  in  Libby  Prison  from  July  20,  '63 
to  Sept.  2d,  1863,  when  I  was  removed  to  Castle  Thunder  until  Sept.  22,  having 
access  to  Libby  twice  during  the  last  named  time.  During  my  confinement  in 
Libby  Lt.-Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  was  brought  in.  I  knew  him  well  and  fre 
quently  came  in  contract  with  him  in  our  common  efforts  to  improve  the  condi 
tion  of  the  officer.  He  being  connected,  if  not  the  chief  mover  in,  our  kitchen 
organization  5  while  I  sought  his  interest  in  our  Lyceum  and  discussions.  I  never, 
in  my  frequent  intercourse  heard  one  word  in  favor  of  the  Confederacy  or 
against  his  General.  I  did  consider  his  efforts  in  the  kitchen  valuable,  and  the 
position  a  very  unthankful  one,  demanding  patience  and  stability  ;  receiving 
from  many  in  return  suspicions  of  partiality  and  a  jealousy  peculiar  to  prison 
life,  when  crumbs  are  watched  and  privilges  measured  with  a  nicety  unknown 
in  the  midst  of  our  common  blessings.  Barbarity  I  should  take  to  be  the  last 
and  least  element  in  his  composition.  He  was  always  courteous  and  gentlemanly, 
my  first  impression  led  me  to  look  upon  him  as  being  somewhat  aristocratic 
and  dignified  ;  he  was  respectful  to  all,  and  choice  in  his  use  of  language.  I 
never  heard  of  his  betraying  any  plan  of  the  officers  to  escape,  until  after  his 
release,  and  then  only  through  the  papers.  I  never  doubted  his  loyalty,  nor 
had  reasons  to  suspect  his  conduct.  I  was  also  acquainted  with  Col.  Streight, 
never  sought  him  as  a  companion,  because  our  general  characters  might  be 
termed  opposite.  He  was  not  choice  in  his  use  of  language.  He  certainly  was 
overbearing  at  times,  and  very  bitter  against  those  who  differed  with  him.  I 
should  not  consider  him  any  more  loyal  than  Col.  SANDERSON,  not  as  courteous 
or  humane.  He  was  a  delared  opponent  of  Col.  SANDERSON  long  ere  I  left  for 
Castle  Thunder. 


FROM  LOUIS  H.  BOUDRYE. 

[Chaplain  of  the  5th  N.  Y.  Cavy.~\ 

Was  captured  by  the  Rebels  near  Monterey  Pass,  Pa.,  July  5th,  1863,  and 
confined  in  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  from  18th  July  to  7th  Oct.  1863. 

I  knew  Lt.-Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON,  my  quarters  were  in  the  same  room, 
with  his,  and  within  ten  feet  of  his,  while  I  stayed  in  the  prison.  I  saw  him 
every  day,  and  conversed  with  him  frequently.  His  reputation  as  an  officer 
and  a  gentleman  was  very  good.  He  was  not  in  the  habit  of  using  profane, 
vulgar  or  abusive  language,  and  compared  very  favorably  in  manners,  habits, 
and  conduct  with  the  great  majority  of  the  officers  confined  in  Libby.  I  never 


XLIII 

heard  him  express  sentiments  adverse  to  the  Government  and.  its  measures  or- 
in  favor  of  the  Confederacy  and  its  institutions. 

I  knew  Col.  A.  D.  Streight.  His  reputation  as  a  gentleman  was  very  good,  as 
aa  officer  not  so  very  good,  there  were  grave  charges  current  in  the  prison  of 
his  having  surrendered  his  command  to  the  enemy  in  a  cowardly  and  unjusti 
fiable  manner. 

He  was  not,  I  think,  considered  more  just,  humane  or  loyal  than  Col.  SAN 
DERSON. 

I  knew  of  a  meeting  gotten  up  by  Col.  Streight  and  his  associates  for  the 
purpose  of  denouncing  Cols.  Tilden  and  SANDERSON,  having  been  present  at  it, 
only  for  a  short  time  however. 

I  heard  Col.  SANDERSON  say,  he  intended  briuging  charges  against  him  for  his 
conduct  in  this  affair. 

Col.  Streight,  before  I  left,  was  considered  as  a  bitter  and  uncompromising 
enemy  of  Col.  SANDERSON. 

I  never  saw  anything  in  Col.  SANDERSON'S  conduct  to  induce  me  to  believe 
him  a  cruel,  harsh  or  unjust  man. 

I  was  cognizant  of  his  efforts  to  organize  and  systematize  the  culinary  arrange 
ments  of  the  East  rooms,  his  labors  were  constant  and  efficient,  serving  to  add 
greatly  to  the  comfort  and  well  being  of  all  the  prisoners  in  that  department. 
The  position  be  held  was  one  of  great  delicacy  and  difficulty,  and  well  calculated 
to  make  enemies  of  the  lawless,  the  depraved  and  the  selfish. 

I  think  it  was  in  contemplation  to  invite  Col.  SANDERSON  to  take  charge  of  the 
same  department  in  the  West  rooms,  but  it  was  opposed  and  defeated  by  Col. 
Streight  for  his  own  selfishness. 

I  knew  Capt.  Atwood,  who  was  regarded  as  a  most  quarrelsome  and  captious 
person,  constantly  complaining  and  embroiling  Col.  SANDERSON  in  numberless 
difficulties. 


STATEMENT  OF  ENLISTED  MEN 

of  the  Wh  Maine  Vols. 

We  hereby  state  on  honor  that  we  are  members  of  the  16th  Maine  Inf.  Vols., 
and  that  we  were  captured  at  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  July  1st,  1863.  and 
carried  to  Belle  Isle,  where  we  were  confined  as  prisoners  of  war. 

We  were  present  at  the  time  the  clothing  was  received  from  our  Government 
and  distributed  by  Col.  SANDERSON,  and  received  certain  articles  of  said  cloth 
ing.  We  do  not  know  of  his  habitually  ill-treating,  abusing  or  insulting  the 
enlisted  men  while  issuing  the  clothing,  or  constantly  addressing  them  with 
oaths,  curses  or  bitter  revilings. 

Did  not  see  him  or  knew  him  to  "buck  or  gag"  or  kick  them  for  trivial 
offences,  or  punish  them  severely  for  not  saluting,  or  for  refusing  to  take  their 
hands  out  of  their  pockets. 

He  did  not  exact  of  them  more  respect  than  military  discipline  required  or 
his  rank  entitled  him  to.  As  far  as  our  observation  extended,  he  acted  with 


XLIV 

justice  and  impartiality  in  distributing  the  clothing,  and  did  not  observe  more 
caution  than  was  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent  being  cheated  by  improper 
and  dishonest  men. 

There  were  a  certain  class  among  the  prisoners  known  as  "  Raiders,"  who 
made  it  their  business  to  rob  the  sick,  and  those  who  were  unable  to  defend 
themselves  of  their  clothing  and  rations,  and  in  many  instances  pursuing  a 
most  brutal  course  towards  them,  depriving  them  of  the  scanty  allowances  they 
possessed.  Whenever  any  complaint  of  this  character  was  brought  to  the 
notice  of  Col.  SANDERSON,  immediate  steps  were  taken  by  him  to  punish  the 
offenders,  and  the  punishment  inflicted  was  no  more  than  they  deserved,  and  in 
some  cases  not  sufficient.  We  do  not  know  of  his  insulting,  abusing,  or  punish 
ing  an  enlisted  man  who  approached  him  properly  or  respectfully. 

JOSEPH  JEWELL,  Co.  F. 

WM.  G.  JONES,  (his  f  mark),  Co.  D. 

TETER  T.  BEAN,  Co.  D. 


FROM  C.  C.  FULTON,  ESQ., 

(Publisher  of  the  Baltimore  American.} 


BALTIMORE,  May  29th,  1865. 
Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  : 

Dear  Sir :— I  cut  the  annexed  letter  from  the  file  of  the  Baltimore  American 
of  date  March  4th.  1864.  It  is  the  only  letter  I  find  from  Mr.  Cowardin  in 
which  your  name  is  mentioned.  Mr.  Cowardin,  although  a  rank  rebel,  responded 
promptly  to  my  appeal  in  behalf  of  humanity  to  assist  in  the  prompt  delivery 
of  the  supplies  and  money  I  sent  to  our  prisoners.  I  received  a  dozen  or  more 
similar  letters  from  him  in  1863-4,  and  I  always  heard  from  our  returning 
prisoners  that  he  was  very  kind  and  attentive  to  them.  He  was  an  old  acquaint 
ance,  and  I  know  possessed  an  influence  at  Richmond  that  could  not  be  dis 
regarded.  Respectfully  yours, 

[Signed]     C.  C.  FULTON. 


Major  JOHN  E.  MULFORD  : 

Fortress  Monroe. 


Extract.'} 

RICHMOND,  Febuary  24th,  1864. 


The  sum  $664.20  (less  $20  counterfeit,)"!  have  placed  in  the  bands  of  Lt.- 
Col.  SANDERSON,  of  1st  Corps  Federal  Army,  for  distribution,  and  enclose  his 
receipt.  The  Colonel  has  at  this  time  a  large  amount  of  money,  which  our 
authorities  have  directed  him,  in  conjunction  with  Capt.  Selph,  of  the  Confed- 


XLV 

erate  Array  to  invest  in  such  articles  as  they  think  best,  and  distribute  among 
the  prisoners.  Colonel  SANDERSON  has  exhibited  a  great  deal  of  energy  as  well 
as  discretion  as  the  chief  of  a  board  of  Federal  officers,  who  have  been  employed 
in  distributing  clothing  and  other  things  sent  through  the  lines  for  the  prisoners. 
He  has  moreover  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come 
in  contact  by  his  frankness  and  suarity.  I  could  devise  no  plan  for  distribu 
ting  the  money  sent  me  that  would  be  at  all  comparable  for  its  success  with 
that  of  confiding  it  to  him,  to  go  along  with  his  large  aggregate,  and  to  be 
distributed  with  his  efficient  means,  and  under  his  experience,  and  systematic 
plan. 

******* 

Very  respectfully,  Yours  obed:t  serv't. 

J.  A.  COWARDIN. 


FROM  J.  A.  COWARDIN,  ESQ. 
(Editor  of  the  Richmond  Dispatch.) 

RICHMOND,  Va.,  July  16th,  1865. 

Understanding  that  Col.  JAMES  M.  SANDERSON  has  been  charged  with  "  dis 
loyalty  "  to  the  Federal  Government  and  "  cruelty  to  the  enlisted  (Union)  men 
on  Belle  Island,"  &c.,  I  take  pleasure  in  bearing  testimony  as  far  as  I  can,  to 
the  injustice  of  these  charges.  Having  myself,  at  different  times,  in  the  Winter 
and  Spring  of  1864,  a  large  amount  of  things  for  distribution  among  the  pris 
oners  on  that  Island,  and  being  compelled  to  visit  "  Libby  "  frequently  for  the  , 
purpose  of  discharging  similar  commissions,  I  very  often  met  with  Col.  SANDER-  . 
SON,  who  was  selected,  as  I  understood,  by  his  fellow-prisoners  as  principal  of  a 
board,  whose  organization  was  elicited  by  the  Confederate  authorities,  for  the 
purpose  of  distributing  clothing  and  subsistence  sent  through  the  lines  by  their 
own  Government  and  people  for  their  comfort  and  sustenance.  For  very  many 
days  and  for  hours  together  each  day  I  saw  Col.  S.  engaged  in  this  duty,  and 
was  struck  with  the  system  and  order  with  which  the  whole  matter  was  done. 
The  whole  business  of  enrolling  the  men,  and  giving  them  in  order,  what  each 
was  entitled  to,  was  performed  in  a  manner  which  precluded,  as  far  as  I  could 
see  or  imagine  any  unfairness  ;  while  the  department  of  Col.  S.  and  the  officers 
who  aided  him,  was  universally  kind  and  considerate  towards  the  men  :  I  could 
not  see  how  it  could  be  more  so  ;  while  the  labor  of  distribution  was  performed 
with  great  expedition,  often  under  circumstances  of  great  discomfort  to  the 
Colonel  and  his  assistants  at  an  inclement  season. 

I  was  often  brought  in  company  with  the  Colonel,  conversed  with  him,  and 
heard  him  converse  with  others,  but  never  heard  him  utter  a  sentiment  disloyal 
to  his  own  Government,  nor  make  at  any  time  any  concessions  from  his  position 
and  fealty  as  an  officer  in  the  Federal  Army.  He  was  uniformly  courteous  and 
polite,  and  was  respected  by  our  soldiers  and  citizens,  but  I  never  heard  one 
utter  a  suspicion  of  his  loyalty  to  his  own  Government.  Treachery  to  that  or 
his  fellow  soldier  would  be  utterly  irreconcilable  with  his  deportirent  as  far 
as  I  observed  it. 

Jf;A.  COWARDIN. 


XLVI 

STATEMENT  OF  LT.  BOSSIEUX,  _C._S.  A. 

RICHMOND,  July  3,  1805. 

I,  Virginias  Bossieux,  late  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Confederate  army,  do  hereby 
depose  and  swear,  that  I  was  Commandant  of  the  Prisoners'  Camp  on  Belle 
Island,  from  June,  1863,  to  July,  1864,  and  subsequently.  I  know  Brig.-Gen. 
Neal  Dow.  He  was  sent  over  to  the  Island  to  distribute  the  clothing  sent  by 
the  U.  S.  Government  to  the  enlisted  men  there  prisoners  of  War.  His  manner 
of  doing  business  was  so  unsystematic  and  loose  that  I  was  forced  to  ask  that 
he  might  be  relieved  and  others  appointed  in  his  place,  which  was  done.  The 
first  day  Gen.  Dow  made  his  appearance  on  the  Island,  he  made  a  speech  to 
them,  which  raised  their  expectations  so  high  that,  on  finding  themselves  disap 
pointed,  they  cursed  him  in  the  most  infamous  manner  ;  and  when  I  remarked 
to  him  that  I  had  some  very  bad  men  there,  he  replied,  '•  Fes,  they  are  the  rak- 
ings  and  scrapings  of  Europe."  The  officers  who  succeeded  Gen.  Dow  were 
Col.  Cesnola,  Lt.  Col.Boyd,  and  Lt.  Col.  Von  Schrader,  who  went  to  work  in  a 
systematic  and  organized  manner ;  their  manner  of  doing  business  gave  very 
general  satisfaction.  Col.  Cesnola,  however,  for  reasons,  was  relieved,  and  Lt. 
Col.  J.  M.  SANDERSON  sent  in  his  place.  It  was  my  business  to  see  the  members 
of  the  Commission  whenever  they  came  upon  the  Island.  I  saw  Col.S.  on  every 
occasion  that  he  visited  the  Camp,  and  was  cognizant  of  all  his  movements — it 
being  impossible  for  him  to  go  or  come  or  circulate  beyond  a  very  limited  space 
without  my  permission.  I  have  constantly  witnessed  his  manner  towards  the 
enlisted  men  whilst  engaged  in  issuing  clothing  5  he  was  not  in  the  habit  of  ad 
dressing  them  with  oaths,  curses,  or  bitter  revilings.  On  the  contrary,  he  was 
always  kind  and  considerate,  acting,  however,  with  firmness  and  dignity.  Both 
Cols.  Cesnola  and  Cols.  Von  Schrader  were  in  the  habit  of  using  strong  lan 
guage  to  the  men — much  stronger  than  Col.  SANDERSON  ;  believing,  doubtless, 
that  such  a  course  was  necessary  to  enforce  proper  discipline.  The  prisoners 
were  very  disrespectful  and  insubordinate  at  first,  and  Col.  S.  was  forced,  owing 
to  their  insulting  manner,  to  adopt  such  measures  as  were  permitted  him  to 
suppress  their  insolence.  1  have  never  known  him  to  punish  a  personal  insult 
other  than  by  reproof.  He  did  punish  two  men  for  drawing  clothing  from  him 
and  selling  it  immediately  to  the  guard.  This  offence  was  considered  the  cause 
of  much  difficulty  ;  and,  at  his  request,  I  caused  some  of  the  guard  caught  in 
the  act  of  buying  clothing  from  the  prisoners  to  be  arrested  and  court- 
martialed. 

Among  the  prisoners  were  a  number  of  men  of  the  most  depraved  and 
wicked  character — robbing,  ill-treating,  and  murdering  their  comrades  for  the 
sake  of  plunder.  To  suppress  this  gang  was  a  constant  study  with  Col.  S.,  and 
at  his  suggestion  I  organized  a  patrol  among  the  prisoners  themselves,Fwhich 
had  the  desired  effect.  Some  of  these  men  were  caught  in  the  very  act  of  de 
spoiling  their  comrades.;  and,  at  Col.  SANDERSON'S  request,  I  ordered  them  to  be 
bucked.  Had  they  been  turned  over  to  the  prisoners  themselves,  they  would 
have  fared  much  worse.  Col.  S.  was  uniformly  courteous  and  gentlemanly  to 
every  person  connected  with  the  camp  ;  and,  being  respected  by  all,  was  more 
successful  in  his  efforts  to  relieve  the  prisoners  than  any  other  Federal  officer  I 
had  any  knowledge  of.  In  fact,  he  never  made  any  suggestion  to  me  that  I  did 


XL  VII 

not  cheerfully  grant  and  accede  to,  if  in  ray  power  to  grant  I  was  personally 
cognizant  of  many  acts  of  kindness  and  of  disinterested  friendship  on  the  part 
of  Col.  S.  to  the  men  by  advancing  them  money,  preventing  them  from  sacri 
ficing  valuable  property,  and  disposing  to  the  best  advantage  the  proceeds  of 
their  industry  and  handiwork.  There  were  no  other  officers  on  the  Island  but 
the  officers  of  the  guard  and  myself.  I  certainly  never  reproved  Col.  S.  for  his 
treatment  to  the  men,  as  I  considered  his  conduct  to  them  officer-like  and  gen 
tlemanly  5  and  I  do  not  believe  any  other  officer  pretending  to  any  knowledge 
of  discipline  or  subordination,  would  have  done  so.  I  never  saw  or  heard  of 
his  making  sport  of  the  Federal  prisoners  for  the  amusement  of  Confederate 
officers.  On  the  contrary,  I  have  heard  him  address  strong  sympathy  and  do 
everything  in  his  power  to  alleviate  their  miseries.  He  has  reproved  them  for 
filthiness.  carelessness,  or  bad  conduct  to  each  other ;  and,  after  the  first  few 
days  of  his  visiting  the  Island,  has  compelled  them  to  pay  him  the  respect  due 
to  his  rank  and  position  ;  but  I  never  knew  him  to  maltreat  or  abuse  them  for 
trivial  offences  or  punish  them  for  neglecting  to  salute  him,  nor  did  I  ever  know 
or  hear  of  his  bucking,  gagging,  or  kicking  them  for  any  cause  excepting  those 
mentioned.  In  fact,  he  had  not  the  right  to  punish  any  one  without  my  con 
sent  ;  nor  do  I  think  he  ever  did  so  without  first  stating  the  case  to  me  and  ob 
taining  permission.  I  have  often  thought  and  frequently  said  to  him  that  he 
submitted  to  the  insolence  of  some  of  the  enlisted  men  with  more  patience  than 
they  deserved.  I  never  heard  of  his  refusing  shoes  to  barefooted  men,  nor  of 
any  one  having  his  feet  frozen  in  consequence  of  such  refusal,  nor  do  I  believe 
it.  When  the  men  approached  him  properly  and  respectfully,  I  have  never 
known  him  to  refuse  them,  if  in  his  power  to  oblige  them.  Many  attempts  were 
made  by  the  worst  portion  of  them  to  deceive  Col.  S.,  and  obtain  from  him 
articles  they  had  already  been  furnished  with  or  were  not  entitled  tj.  A  very 
common  excuse  was  that  they  had  been  robbed  by  their  companions  of  their 
coats  and  blankets,  and  wanted  Col.  S.  to  replace  them.  This  I  have  known 
him  to  do  in  some  cases,  but  generally  he  refused  until  every  other  man  was 
served  at  least  once.  I  never  knew  or  heard  of  his  giving  U.  S.  clothing  to  any 
person  connected  with  the  Confederate  service.  On  the  contrary,  I  have  known 
of  his  refusing  such  clothing  to  enlisted  men  suspected  by  him  of  having  taken 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Confederate  Government. 

Political  or  sectional  discussions  were  as  a  rule  forbidden  at  my  table  :  the 
Federal  officers,  visiting  the  Island,  were  in  a  measure  my  guests,  and  their 
duties  compelled  them  to  be  there  at  the  time  I  generally  took  my  dinner.  Seats 
were  provided  for  them,  and  they  were  invariably  invited  to  partake,  and  out 
of  respect  to  them,  all  subjects  of  a  disagreeable  nature  were  prohibited.  On 
one  or  two  occasions  such  a  discussion  did  arise,  but  Col.  S.  in  each  instance 
defended  the  cause  of  his  Government  and  section  respectfully  but  firmly. 

Col.  S.,  took  great  pains  to  make  himself  acquainted  with  the  wants  and 
necessities  of  the  men,  and  anxious  to  learn  the  truth  of  the  many  tales  told  of 
their  treatment.  He  constantly  visited  the  kitchen  of  the  camp,  instructing  and 
advising  the  cooks,  and  frequently  inspected  the  grave-yard  where  all  the  men 
dying  on  the  Island  were  buried,  counting  the  graves,  and  making  his  memo 
randum  at  every  visit.  He  was  always  accompanied  by  one  or  more  Federal 


officers,  fellow-prisoners,  to  whom  every  privilege  of.  conversing  with  the  raen- 
freely  and  unreservedly,  was  granted.  By  every  one  I. ever  heard  speak  of  Col.. 
SANDERSON,  he  was  regarded  as  a  courteous  gentleman,  and  as  far  as  I  could 
judge  was  as  ready  to  accord  to  every  one  due  respect,  as  he  was  prompt  to  de 
mand  it  from  them. 

[Signed]  VIRGINIUS  BOSSIEUX. 

State  of  Virginia,  City  of  Richmond,  to  wit .: 

This  day  personally  appeared  before  mo  Virginius  Bossieux,  and  made   oath 
that  the  statement  hereunto  annexed  is  true. 
Given  under  my  hand,    \ 
this  5th  July,  1865.  j" 

WAI.  TAYLOR,  J.  P. 


STATEMENT  OF  CAPT.  C.  McRAE  SELPH. 

My  name  is  Colin McRae  Selph,  I  was  a  Captain,  Ass't.-Adj't.  General  in  the- 
late  Confederate  States  Army.    I  was  assigned  to  duty  with  Gen.  Winder  in  the 
Winter  of  'G3  and  ?64,  and,  by  him,  placed  in  charge  of  the  supplies  which  were- 
sent  from  the  United  States  to  the  prisoners  of  War  in  Richmond,  a.nd  other 
cities  of  the  Confederacy. 

I  met  Lt.-Col.  J.  M.  SANDERSON,  who  was  a  prisoner  of  War  in  Libby  Prison. 
He  was  at  the  time  of  my  first  meeting  with  him,  engaged  in  the  distribution  of 
clothing,  &c.,  to  the  prisoners  on  Belle  Isle. 

In  organizing  a  board  of  Federal  officers,  which  was  to  assist  me  in  the  proper 
distribution  of  the  supplies,  I  retained  all  of  those  who  had  been  acting  previ 
ous  to  my  assignment  to  duty,  adding  Lt.  Col.  Archer,  of  Ky..  because  of  his 
kindness  towards  some  of  my  friends  inVicksburg.  The  members  of  this  Board, 
among  whom  was  Lt.  Col.  SANDERSON,  were  brought  from  Libby  Prison  to  my 
office  every  morning,  where  a  portion  remained  to  distribute  the  clothing,  etc.,, 
to  the  prisoners,  and  the  other  portion  went  to  Belle  Isle  for  the  same  purpose. 
Col.  S.  took  upon  himself  the  more  arduous  duty  of  attending  to  the  wants  of 
the  prisoners  on  Belle  Isle.  The  Board  generally  remained  out  of  Libby  Prison 
until  6  or  7  o'clock,  p.  M.,  or  they  could  return  to  the  Prison  and  leave  it  at  any 
time  during  the  day  upon  expressing  a  wish  to  do  so. 

Col.  SANDERSON  often  asked  and  obtained  permission  for  several  of  his  fellow- 
prisoners  to  accompany  him  to  Belle  Isle,  thus  enabling  many  to  enjoy  the 
fresh  air,  exercise  and  a  change  of  association.  His  general  character  as  a 
courteous  gentleman,  and  his  freedom  from  any  selfish  spirit,  rendered  Col.  S., 
respected  by  all  the  officers  of  the  Libby  Prison.  Yet  he  was  looked  upon  as  a 
staunch  loyal  man,  and  expressed  his  opinions  when  called  upon  by  the  language 
of  others,  freely  and  boldly.  Upon  one  occasion,  in  my  office,  I  was  forced  to 
order  the  Lieutenant  of  the  Guard  to  cease  conversation  with  Col.  S.,  because  the 
conversation  was  not  such  as  should  be  held  between  a  prisoner  of  War  and  an, 
officer  of  the  guard.  Col.  S.,  was  then  defending  with  great  force  the  cause  of. 
the  Union,  and  much  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  Lieutenant  who  was  becoming, 
personal  in  his  remark?. 


XLIX 

I  never  heard  it  stated  among  the  Confederate  authorities  that  Col.  S.,  had 
given  any  information  or  intimation  of  a  proposed  attempt  at  escape  of  his 
fellow-prisoners.-  If  it  had  been  so,  I  would  have  known  it.  On  the  contrary 
I  knew  it  was  not  Col.  SANDERSON  ;  but  another  prisoner  who  gave  all  the  infor 
mation  that  was  necessary,  especially  in  the  case  of  a  Major  (White,  I  believe,) 
who  escaped  by  going  with  the  Surgeons,  but  was  brought  back  from  City 
Point.  Col.  S.  frequently  expressed  to  me  his  sentiments,  and  I  believe  that  he 
reposed  the  fullest  confidence  in  me.  He  was,  as  a  gentleman,  opposed  to  the 
violent  voluntary  expression  of  political  opinions  in  his  intercourse  with  the 
Confederate  officers,  but  I  have  seen  him  frequently  drawn  out,  and  have  in 
duced  him  to  speak  myself,  but  in  all  his  conversations  he  firmly  and  ably  de 
fended  his  actions  and  the  cause  of  his  Government.  I  have  never  heard  him 
express  any  but  the  most  loyal  sentiments,  and  have  thought,  as  did  other 
Confederate  officers,  that  he  was  the  truest  Union  man  that  we  had  met.  In  all 
of  his  meetings  with  several  of  his  old  friends  Col.  S.  expressed  his  firm  Union 
sentiments,  and  opposition  to  the  South  and  Secession. 

It  would  have  been  impossible  for  Col.  S.  to  have  had  any  communication 
with  any  of  the  principal  officers  of  the  Confederate  Government,  without  my 
knowledge,  and  I  am  certain  that  he  had  no  intimacy  with  any  of  them,  and 
that  individually  he  received  no  favors  from  them  ;  I  am  personally  cognizant 
ef  the  fact,  that  permission  was  refused  him  to  accept  the  hospitalities  which 
were  tendered  to  him  by  an  old  friend  on  Christmas  Day,  1863. 

I  was  severely  reprimanded  by  Gen.  Winder  for  my  course  towards  Col.  S. 
and  the  other  members  of  the  Board  with  whom  I  held  some  feelings  of  esteem 
and  friendship  ;  a  feeling  which  is  not  impossible  for  even  enemies  to  entertain. 
Col.  SANDERSON  did  not  receive  any  favors  or  privileges  other  than  those  which 
were  incident  to  his  official  position  or  which  were  accorded  to  the  other  mem 
bers  of  the  Board,  indeed  Col.  S.  did  not  receive  as  many  as  the  other  members 
of  the  Board,  because  he  was  at  Belle  Isle  during  most  of  the  time.  I  do  not 
know  that  Col.  S.  ever  applied  for  or  received  any  particular  personal  favors 
from  others,  from  myself  he  never  asked  and  never  accepted  any,  but  he  made 
many  applications  in  favor  of  his  companions,  and  frequently  obtained  special 
privileges  for  his  fellow-prisoners  from  myself,  such  as  the  delivery  of  private 
boxes,  &c.,  when  the  distribution  was  suspended  by  order  of  Gen.  Winder,  and 
furnishing  those  who  received  none  from  home,  with  provisions  from  the  con 
fiscated  goods. 

The  distribution  of  clothing  and  other  supplies  which  were  sent  by  the  U.  S. 
and  the  Sanitary  and  other  Commissions,  was  under  my  control,  and  Col.  S. 
could  not  have  appropriated  or  disposed  of  any  of  them  without  my  consent  or 
the  knowledge  of  the  detectives  of  Gen.  Winder.  Gen.  Winder,  no  matter  how 
censurable  he  may  have  been  in  other  respects,  was  too  honest  to  have  per 
mitted  anything  of  the  kind,  and  would  certainly  have  known  it. 

I  remember  that  it  was  owing  entirely  to  Col.  SANDERSON'S  representations 
that  the  boxes  of  Gen'l  Neal  Dow  were  delivered  at  all,  and  his  representations 
and  refusal  to  take  his  own  boxes  until  their  boxes  were  delivered,  induced  me 
to  deliver  the  boxes  of  Gen'l  Scammon,  Col.  StreSght  and  Col.Cesnola.  Col.  S. 
on  two  occasions  requested  and  obtained  the  delivery  of  boxes  for  Dow  and 


Streight,  when  the  delivery  of  boxes  was  suspended  by  order  of  Gen.  Winder 
I.  in  those  cases,  took  the  responsibility. 

I  am  confident  that  no  member  of  the  Board  sought  or  obtained  as  many 
special  favors  for  his  fellow  prisoners  as  did  Col.  SANDERSON,  or  tlat  they  did 
more  to  ameliorate  their  condition.  Yet  I  must  express  my  estetm  for  every 
member— they  conducted  themselves  with  great  courtesy,  and  gave  me  great 
assistance. 

I  certify  on  honor  that  the  above  statement  is  true. 

C.  McRAE  SELPH, 

Capt.  &  A.  A.  £.,  late  C.  S.  A. 


BROOKLYN,  20th  March,  1865. 
Brig.  Gen'l  J.  C.  CALDWELL, 

Pres't  Military  Commission." 

GENERAL  :    I  have  the  honor  to  forward  you  two  original  letters  written  by 
me,  whilst  in  Libby  prison,  to  my  family  in  New-York. 
My  object  in  placing  before  you  these  letters  is  to  show  : 
1st.  The  mental  difficulties  and  private  griefs  I  was  laboring  under  at  the  very 
moment  I  was  charged  with  having  disclosed  our  plan  of  escape. 
{£  2d,  To  prove  where  I  drew  all  the  luxuries   and  conveniences  of  my  mess 
which  have  been  charged  against  me,  by  my  enemies,  as  coming  from  rebel 
sources. 

3d.  To  establish  the  date  of  my  visit  to  the  hospital,  about  which  there 
appears  to  be  some  discrepancy  between  Capt.  Fentress,  and  Col.  Fisher.  This 
is  of  importance  to  show  that  Neal  Dow,  who  arrived,  according  to  his  own 
statement  at  Portland,  from  Mobile  about  the  latter  part  of  October,  could  not 
have  been  present  at  an  incident  occuring  not  later  than  the  21st.  My  own 
impression  is  that  he  did  not  reach  Libby  until  the  28th  or  29th  of  October. 

4th.  To  prove  that  in  the  midst  of  my  personal  griefs  and  discomforts,  I  was 
still  resigned  to  the  action  of  my  Government,  and  did  not  fear  to  say  so. 
although  I  knew  that  every  letter  was  subject  to  the  scrutiny  of  the  Confeder 
ates. 

The  friend  referred  to  as  having  sent  me  some  dainties  was  a  brother  hotel- 
keeper,  who  1  had  known  in  Baltimore.  This  was  the  only  instance  of  such 
kindness  to  me  during  my  whole  stay. 

Very  respectfully,  &c., 

JAMES   M.  SANDERSON. 


COPY  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  LIBBY. 

LIBBY,  October  6th,  1863. 

Yesterday  the  letters  per  last il  flag  of  tiuce  r'  were  delivered,  but  none  fiom 
my  darling  child,  and  no  news  of  her  dear  mother.  "When  the  last  naire  is  read 
and  your  own  is  uiiheard,  there  comes  over  the  heart  a  chilly  coldness,  hard  to 


LI 

describe,  but  bitter  to  feel ;  and  when  you  look  around  and  see  the  triumphant 
and  glad  smile  of  the  fortunate,  one  seems  incline;!  to  do  or  say  something  very 
malicious,  or  very  sentimental.  The  only  thing  that  tempers  my  thoughts  just 
now,  however,  is  the  hope  that  the  worst  has  not,  as  yet,  befallen  me,  and  that 
I  can  still  think  of  your  darling  mother  as  being  with  and  near  you.  And  yet 
the  state  in  which  you  describe  her  is  heartrending  and  painful,  bearing  with  it 
the  consciousness  that  your  less  is  her  gain.  May  God  give  her  strength  to  bear 
bravely  her  burden.  I  see  no  prospects  of  an  exchange  this  winter,  and,  in 
fact,  it  has  been  intimated  to  us  to  provide  ourselves  as  soon  as  possible  with 
every  needed  requirement  for  shielding  us  from  the  rigors  of  the  coming  season, 
I  have  written,  some  time  ago,  for  some  necessaries,  but  fear  the  letter  has  mis 
carried.  I  require  immediately,  warm  underclothing,  undershirts,  drawers, 
stockings,  warm  mitts ;  fur-lined  slippers  with  stout  soles,  and  if  there  be  any 
warm,  thick  coat  among  my  old  clothes,  send  it  along.  My  fur-cap  is  in  Wash 
ington,  if  not  put  it  in  the  box  ;  also  an  old-fashioned  magnifying  or  <•  burning 
glass,7'  the  German  are  the  cheapest,  about  2  or  2J  inches  in  diameter;  a  pint 
of  alchohol,  with  an  ounce  of  camphor  dissolved  in  it ;  a  cake  of  camphor  ice; 
a  very  small  pair  of  dividers  or  compasses ;  another  pair  of  linnen  drawers— 
they  are  good  to  sleep  in — and  if  there  be  any  silk  undershirts  or  drawers 
among  my  stock  send  them  along.  By  all  means  send  me  a  canvass  hammock, 
complete  with  slings  and  heavy  iron  hooks.  Send  me  monthly,  with  bill,  the 
articles  enumerated  on  the  other  side.  If  Leonard  wants  money  to  pur 
chase  anything  for  me,  I  have  requested  him  to  draw  on  your  husband.  Give 
him  my  love  and  tell  him  to  honor  the  drafts.  "With  many  kisses  to  your  dear 
mamma,  if  she  still  lives,  and  for  yourself,  I  am  as  ever, 

Your  dearest  papa, 

JAMES  M.  SANDERSON, 
Mrs.  J.  A.  HEWLETT, 

82   Wall  Street,  New-York. 


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«  LiBBY,77  14  Oct.,  1863. 

My  Dear  Children : 

Your  joint,  note  of  Sept.  27  and  Oct.  1,  reached  me  last  week.  I  am  greatly 
delightel  to  know  my  letter  reached  your  dear  mamma  in  time.  My  pain  at 
hearing  of  your  marriage  was  of  course  due  to  my  forbodings  for  her  health, 
for  had  she  been  well,  and  such  an  incident  occur,  of  course,  I  Should  havo 


LIT 

known  that  some  proper  reason  influenced  it.  I  dont  remember  of  her  ever 
being  wrong  in  an  event  of  such  magnitude.  A  quarter  of  a  century  has 
elapsed  since  our  wedding  day,  and  a  most  momentous  era  it  has  been  not  only 
for  us,  but  for  the  world  at  large.  Rumors  are  constantly  reaching  us  as  to 
exchanges,  and  I  have  been  constantly  buoyed  up  with  the  hopes  of  release  in 
time  to  see  her  before  her  release  from  this  earth  and  its  pain,  but  I  have  now 
ceased  to  hope,  and  await  with  quiet  resignation  the  decision  of  my  Government 
quite  satisfied  to  remain,  if,  by  so  doing,  I  fill  the  measure  of  my  duty.  The 
authorities  here  have  lately  greatly  ameliorated  our  condition  and  improved  our 
accomodations,  especially  the  hospital  department.  To-day  I  have  been  the 
recipient  of  some  dainties  from  an  old  friend  of  years  gone  by,  and  am  anxious 
to  return  it,  and  know  of  nothing  better  than  a  couple  of  pounds  of  tea,  which 
costs  here  something  fabulous.  Have  it  put  in  the  first  box.  I  began  to  fear  my 
letters  were  destroyed,  but  your  announcement  of  the  receipt  of  those  of  7  and 
8th  Sept.,  reassure  me,  and  I  am  anxiously  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  box, 
having  just  reached  the  end  of  my  coffee,  sugar,  milk  and  everything  in  fact, 
but  my  tea.  For  three  days  past  I  have  been  quite  ill,  but  am  now  quite  re 
covered.  Don't  forget  the  hammock,  subjoined  is  a  list  of  a  few  additional 
articles  I  require.  With  my  deepest  love,  and  constant  prayers,  as  ever, 

Your  Father, 

J.  M.  SANDERSON. 

1  Bottle  Velpeau's  remedy  for  rheumatism;  1  Paper  Tacks;  1  Small  Hammer 
or  Hatchet ;  2  Camel's  Hair  Brushes;  5ft>.  Italian  Macaroni;  Paper  of  Court- 
Plaster  ;  A  small  Spring  Balance  ;  Camphor  Ice. 


October  20,  in  pencil. 

I  kave  just  lecovered  fiora  another  severe  cold,  which  sent  me  to  the  hospital, 
whence  I  have  just  returned.  I  am  anxiously  awaiting  a  letter  or  a  box. 
especially  the  hammock.  J.  M.  S. 

„    £end  me  some  Mask,  let  it  be  strong, — lice  dont  like  it 


October  23. 

Youi  letters  of  Oct.  G  and  9,  just  received,  but  no   box  as  yet  greatly  to  my 
discomfort.    Will  write  a^ain  shortly.  J.  M.  S. 


LIII 


OFFICERS  ADDRESSED, 
FROM  WHOM   NO   REPLY  HAS  BEEN  RECEIVED, 


Lt.  Col.  S.  M.  Archer,  17 ih  Iowa— 2  letters. 

Col.  W.  B.  McCreery,  21st  Michigan— 2  letters. 

Lt.  Col.  H.  B.  Hunter,  123d  Ohio— declines  answering. 

Lt.  Col.  J.  F.  Boyd,  Q.  M.  Army  of  the  Ohio— 2  letters. 

Lt.  Col.  A.  Von  Schrader,  A.  I.  G.,  14th  Army  Corp — declines  answering. 

Lt.  Col.  A.  F.  Von  Mitzel,  74th  Pennsylvania  -1  letter. 

Capt.  F.  E.  Wentworth,  C.  S.— reply  miscarried. 

Lt.  W.  C.  Robinson,  34th  Illinois — declines  answering. 

Brig.  Gen.  E.  P.  Scammon— 1  letter. 

Lt.  Col.  E.  L.  Hays,  100th  Ohio— 1  letter. 

Lt.  W.  F.  Randolph,  5th  United  States  Artillery— 3  letters. 

Col.  W.  F.  Wilson,  123d  Ohio— 1  letter. 

Lt.  Col.  J.  P.  Spofford,  97th  New-York— 3  letters. 

Capt.  Thomas  Huggins,  59th  New-York— 3  letters. 

Lt.  Col.  A.  P.  Henry,  loth  Kentucky— 1  letter. 

Lt.  Col.  W.B.  Neeper,  57th  Pennsylvania— 3  letters. 

Major  S.  Mclrvin,  2d  New-York  Cavalry — 1  letter. 

Col.  C.  H.  Carlton, '89th  Ohio— 1  letter. 

Capt.  J.  H.  Whelan,  Ass't  Adj't  Gen'l,— 2  letters. 

Major  "VY.  D.  Morton,  14th  New- York  Cavalry — reply  miscarried. 

Capt.  Thomas  Cummings,  19th  U.  S.  Inf.— 2  letters 

Capt.  W.  H.  Douglas,  C.  S.— 2  letters. 

Major  E.  M.  Pope,  Ass't  Insp.  Gen'l — 3  letters. 

Capt.  Fred.  Barton— 2  letters. 

Lieut.  Ira  Tyler,  5th  Maryland— 1  letter. 

Lieut.  John  Egan — 1  letter. 

Lieut,  Butler  Coles,  2d  N.  Y.  Cav.— 1  letter. 

Isaac  Johnson,  Eng.,  TJ.  S.  Navy— 1  letter. 

Lieut.  A.  W.  Sprague,  24th  Michigan— 1  letter. 

Capt.  F.  Memmert,  5th  Maryland— 2  letters. 

Major  Josiah  Hall,  1st  Vermont  Cav. —  I  letter. 

Capt.  Czsbad,  Aid-de-Camp— 1  letter. 

Lt,  Col.  J.  N.  Walker,  73d  Indiana— 1  letter. 

Lieut.  M.  Kupp,  167th  Pennsylvania — 1  letter. 

Capt.  W.  M.  Cockrum,  42d  Indiana— 1  letter. 

Adj't  M.  R.  Small,  6th  Maryland—I  letter. 

Lieut.  S.  S.  Holbrook,  15th  U.  S.  Inf.— 1  letter. 

Capt,  John  Daly,  104th  New- York— 1  letter. 


LIV 

John  Y.  Goodrich,  13th  Mass.— 4  letters. 

Capt.  J.  C.  Meagher,  40th  Ohio— 1  letter. 

Capt.  J.  A.  Johnson,  lllh  Kentucky — 1  letter. 

Capt.  Thomas  Reed.  1st.  Virginia  Inf.— 2  letters. 

Capt.  Horace  Noble,  9th  Maryland — 1  letter. 

Chaplain  0.  Taylor,  Pontiac.  Michigan — 1  letter. 

Lt.  Wm.  Blanchard.  2d  U.  S.  Cavalry— 1  letter. 

Rev.  H.  "W.  Bellows,  President  Sanitary  Commission — declines  answering 

Lt.  C.  G.  A.Peterson,  1st  Rhode  Island  Cavalry— declines  answering. 

Capt.  W.  M.  Beeman,  1st  Vermont  Cavalry — 1  letter. 

Chaplain  McCabe.  Christain  Commission — 1  letter. 

Lt.  Geo.  A.  Peering,  16lh  Maine— 1  letter. 

Private  W.  W.  Sprague,  37  Essex  St.,  Boston — 1  letter. 

Lt.  H.  S.  Platt,  5th  Maryland— 1  letter. 

Lt.  Col.  G.  Von  Helmriclc.  2 1st  Missouri  Cavalry— 1  letter. 

Major  Beers, — 1  letter. 

Col.  G.  C.  Joslin,  loth  Massachusetts— 1  letter. 

Lt.  Gorgas,  90th  Pennsylvania — 1  letter. 

Lt.  S,  G.  Davis.  1st  Massachusetts  Cavalry— 2  letters. 


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